Dr. Zoran Aleksic and associates perform Macular Degeneration treatment and Vitroretinal surgery in Cape Town.
What is Vitroretinal surgery? Vitreoretinal surgery is the treatment of disorders related to the retina, vitreous and macula. We use specialised techniques, instruments and solutions to treat conditions that include retinal detachment, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and uveitis. Retinal and vitreous problems can cause severe loss of vision and even blindness. In some cases, surgery may be beneficial – if done at the right time – might prevent severe loss of vision.
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Learn more about Age-related Macular Degeneration below.
WHAT IS AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that affects your central vision and is a common cause of vision loss among people over age of 60. Because only the centre of your vision is usually affected, people rarely go blind from the disease. However, AMD can sometimes make it difficult to read, drive, or perform other daily activities that require fine, central vision.
WHAT IS THE
MACULA?
The macula is in the center of the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. As you read, light is focused onto your macula. There, millions of cells change the light into nerve signals that tell the brain what you are seeing. This is called your central vision. With it, you are able to read, drive, and perform other activities that require fine, sharp, straight-ahead vision.
AMD occurs in two forms:
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1. Dry AMD, affects about 90 percent of those with the disease. Its cause is unknown. Slowly, the light sensitive cells in the macula break down...
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HOW DOES AMD DAMAGE VISION?
AMD occurs in two forms:
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1. Dry AMD, affects about 90 percent of those with the disease. Its cause is unknown. Slowly, the light sensitive cells in the macula break down. With less of the macula working, you may start to lose central vision in the affected eye as the years go by. Dry AMD often occurs in just one eye at first. You may get the disease later in the other eye. Doctors have no way of knowing if or when both eyes may be affected.
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2. Wet AMD, although only 10 percent of all people with AMD have this type, it accounts for 90 percent of all blindness from the disease. It occurs when new blood vessels behind the retina start to grow toward the macula. Because these new blood vessels tend to be very fragile, they will often leak blood and fluid under the macula.
