senior woman with AMD

Macular Degeneration

Know your risks and preserve your vision

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What Is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration, also called AMD or age-related macular degeneration, occurs when the macula — the central portion of the retina — begins to wear down, causing central vision loss.

People who suffer from AMD tend to lose their “straight ahead” vision, making it difficult to read, drive, and recognize faces. 

Total vision loss is unlikely, as there's typically enough peripheral vision to allow for other activities of daily life. 

Man with macular degeneration


Types of Macular Degeneration:

macular degeneration types

  • Dry AMD: small deposits called drusen damage retinal nerve cells and reduce vision
  • Wet AMD: new blood vessels form that leak and release fluid that harms the macula. This is a more severe form of AMD that can more quickly cause vision loss.

Don’t Let AMD Rob You of Your Sight

An estimated 196 million people are living with macular degeneration worldwide. Although those affected by it rarely lose all their vision, the vast majority suffer from some degree of vision loss. 

While there is currently no cure for AMD, there are certain treatments that can slow its progression — and low vision aids that can increase independent functioning.

If you think you're at risk or are experiencing symptoms, contact Foothills Vision and Eye Care today. We can diagnose and help treat the disease.


Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

Macular Degeneration Treatment

Our optometry practice in Fort Collins

Photograph of Scott Haugen
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

Risk Factors for AMD

  • Aged 50+

    The onset of AMD usually happens over the age of 50 and increases substantially with time. For instance, a 2% risk at age 55 can turn into a 30% risk by age 75.

  • Lifestyle factors

    Smoking and eating a diet high in saturated fat can increase your risk of AMD. Furthermore, these habits increase the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease–two additional risk factors for AMD.

  • Obesity

    Research shows that people with a BMI of over 30 double their chances of developing AMD.

  • Family History

    If you have a close relative with AMD, you have a higher risk of developing this eye condition.


How to Stop the Progression of Macular Degeneration

While there isn’t yet a cure for AMD or an effective way of reversing vision loss that has already occurred, you can take certain steps and adopt new habits to slow the progression of the disease.

Furthermore, certain treatments can slow its progression and low vision aids that can increase independent functioning.

Talk to us about how you can slow the progression of the disease and avoid vision loss by contacting Foothills Vision and Eye Care today. 

Photograph

Patient Reviews
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129 Reviews
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- Mar. 14, 2023
I have been a patient of Dr. Skrdla for many years. I ALWAYS get exceptional, professional, friendl... y service every visit.
- Feb. 25, 2023
Dr. Skrdla is truly the BEST! He’s extremely knowledgeable -not just about everything related to e... ye and vision health but also so much more. I’ve been his patient for 15+ years and I trust him more than any other doctor I’ve seen in that time. I have some complex medical issues (mostly unrelated to my eyes/vision) that he somehow knows more about than most of the specialists I see who are supposed to be experts in those issues… I wish he was a primary care physician. Everyone I’ve ever recommended him to have become longtime patients of his and all feel the same way. Make an appointment with him and you’ll see :-).
- Feb. 24, 2023
Dr Haugen and staff are great! They are friendly and courteous and answered all my questions. Felt... very comfortable during the appointment.
- Feb. 24, 2023
Dr Skrdla is awesome highly recommend him.
- Feb. 22, 2023
Everyone was extremely friendly, helpful and professional. A great experience!
- Feb. 21, 2023
Everyone is super friendly and informative.
- Feb. 13, 2023
Very professional and friendly Dr McClelland was great
- Jan. 23, 2023
Dr Skrdla is fantastic. I enjoy seeing him each year ! He is thorough, on time, personable and sma... rt. Our whole family sees him for our eye exams. Definitely the best there is!
- Jan. 21, 2023
Great eye care
- Jan. 20, 2023
Dr. Skrdla and his staff are wonderful! Great customer service and extremely knowledgeable!
- Jan. 10, 2023
Dr. Haugen has seen me since I was really little. I had complex issues with my eyes and I always fel... t seen at his office. Highly recommend for parents of bespectacled littles 🙂 I have a recent great story though- I live in Chicago but had seen him for a check up while I was in Colorado for a while last winter. But when I switched insurance and needed another pair of glasses, I found an in-network clinic who required a re-exam to give me new glasses. They ended up giving me the wrong prescription! One eye far sighted and the other nearsighted- I think they accidentally typed a plus sign. I bought glasses through a third party because ironically that clinic was too expensive, and of course when I received them they were totally wrong. I called them and they basically brushed me off, and the third party also couldn’t do anything because they had followed the prescription I handed them. So I decided to try and call Dr. Haugen (whose problem this definitely wasn’t!) just a bit before his office closed. He answered himself, sent the correct prescription, and got it fixed for me- when I was all the way in Chicago!
- Jan. 07, 2023
Absolutely fantastic place. I have been going there with my family for 12 years with 4 family memb... ers who need their services and they have always met or exceeded any expectations I would have.
- Dec. 30, 2022
Dr. Skrdla is very knowledgeable and the rest of the staff is extremely friendly and understanding. ... I highly recommend this place!
- Dec. 22, 2022
Happy to be a patient of theirs for many years.
- Dec. 18, 2022
Turnaround was only one week for my new glasses. The lab they use is quite good.
- Dec. 14, 2022
Wonderful staff, great care, and takes their time to make you feel you got individualized care.
- Dec. 08, 2022
Love Dr. Haugen and staff! Always friendly and never pushy. My whole family are patients. Glad we fo... und them. Would recommend to everyone!
- Dec. 07, 2022
Annual eye exam is professional and extremely competent. Would highly recommend Dr. Haugen and his s... taff.
- Dec. 05, 2022
I love the whole team. Always friendly. I am a geek, so I love the technology used to get the best d... iagnosis. And when things don't go perfectly, the team is always eager to help. Always impressed!
- Nov. 29, 2022
Dr. Skrdla is an excellent optometrist. Our family has gone to him for years. He is very thorough, c... ompetent, personable and the appointments are timely. In and out very quickly. Highly recommend he and his staff.

View All 129 Reviews

Macular Degeneration FAQs

What are the first signs of AMD?

You may have AMD and not know it. Typically, symptoms may not develop until the advanced stage of the eye disease.

First signs of AMD may include: 

  • Blurred vision
  • Blind spots or dark spots
  • Straight lines appearing distorted or wavy
  • Faded colors 

 For early detection and better outcomes, it's important to undergo regular eye exams at our eye clinic, especially if you have a family history of AMD or other risk factors. 

How common is macular degeneration?

Statistics indicate that 8.7% of the world population has macular degeneration. The rate of AMD is expected to increase from 196 million in 2022 to 288 million by 2040.

What is the best treatment for macular degeneration?

Currently, the most common treatment for wet AMD is the injection of medications called anti-VEGF agents. High levels of VEGF in the eye increase the formation of abnormal blood vessels that cause much of the damage in wet AMD.


senior couple with AMD wearing glasses

Don’t let AMD stop you from doing the things you love.

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