What doctor treats macular degeneration?

An ophthalmologist or optometrist treats macular degeneration. The macula is the part of the retina that is responsible for the central vision. If macular degeneration is suspected, the physician may perform a photographic procedure using dye.

Macular degeneration is common in people over age 50. As a person ages, reading becomes more difficult. Vitamins C and E, zinc, and beta-carotene may delay or reduce vision loss. People afflicted with this condition either need prescription glasses when reading fine print or may compensate by reading larger print. Medications such as Eylea, Lucentis and Macugen may help in wet macular degeneration, but there is no cure for the more common dry macular degeneration.