Macular degeneration is a disease that affects your eyes. When you look at the center of your retina, there you will find the macula. It has extreme sensitivity to light. It’s a tissue that is positioned in the rear of your eye. Your macula is what allows you to have vision right in front of you. It’s what gives you central vision.
For most people, macular degeneration happens after age 60. Macular degeneration, when it is connected to age, is a painless condition. Macular degeneration comes in two forms. There is a dry age-related macular degeneration and a wet one.
While there is no one single factor that leads to macular degeneration, researchers have seen a link between unhealthy lifestyle choices and the prevalence of macular degeneration. Some of these things include smoking, having a diet that has a lot of saturated fats, obesity, and high blood pressure.
When a person first gets macular degeneration, they notice that their vision is slightly blurred. In order to read, they might need brighter lights than they needed before. With time, they find it hard to recognize a person’s face, unless the person is standing right in front of them. As the disease advances, people start to notice a blurred spot right in the center of their field of vision. When a patient has wet macular degeneration, they see what appears to be wavy lines and straight lines.
If a patient has dry age-related macular degeneration, there are steps that can be taken to slow the progression of the illness. Unfortunately, at the time of this writing, there are no cures for this form of macular degeneration. Patients who have wet age-related macular degeneration may be able to reverse or stop the condition, depending on how far it has advanced when it is first diagnosed and when they first receive treatment.
Other causes for macular degeneration include genetic abnormalities. For some patients, the disease progresses rapidly. For others, the disease takes a more slower pace. Everyone battling with macular degeneration eventually sees a decrease in their ability to drive, to read, and to recognize others.
One of the insidious things about the nature of age-related macular degeneration is that because it happens so gradually, most patients don’t notice a change in their vision until the disease has progressed to a very serious level.
It is rare for age-related macular degeneration to just affect one eye. It usually affects both eyes. However, the vision loss may vary greatly between the eyes.
The earlier that macular degeneration is caught, the better the outcome can be for patients. This underscores the importance of visiting an eye doctor regularly. Even if you think that your vision is perfect and it hasn’t changed, you still might be suffering from macular degeneration. The progression may be so slow that you don’t notice it.
Regular checkups will give our doctor at Wichita Vision Institute the time needed to identify the problem early and create a treatment plan that is designed specifically to help you see better.
I Can See Clearly Now
by Don Burrows
Category: cataract surgeryDr. Patel saved my wife’s vision and mine too. I now live 770 miles from her office and would still make the trip, even if it required a cross-country trip.
I highly recommend Dr. Patel
by Jim Guhl
Category: cataract surgeryDr. Patel is a physician whose sincere goal is to improve the quality of life for her patients. When I first became a patient under Dr. Patel’s care, I was diagnosed with cataracts in both of my eyes; dry eye syndrome; and astigmatism. Previous records from my Lasik surgery, which occurred 17 years ago, were no longer available. The Lasik surgery documentation was important in determining the exact corrections that now needed to be made to properly correct my astigmatism. Dr. Patel wisely recommended I postpone the cataract removal and astigmatism correction procedure, until she received newly developed diagnostic equipment. This newly developed technology would provide her with the most accurate metrics possible. New specialized lens implants were also becoming available, which would correct my astigmatism. Dr. Patel explained my chances for a successful outcome would be significantly increased if I would be patient and wait a little longer. Dr. Patel is truly a physician with high integrity and would never perform surgery until she knew it was the right time. She truly cares about providing her patients with the best care she can. Dr. Patel successfully treated my dry eye symptoms with a regiment of eye drops, cleansing techniques and vitamins, which prevented me from requiring more extensive - and more expensive treatment. Prior to the surgery on my right eye, she provided me with sample eye drops from her office and coupons for the eye drops I would need to purchase after my surgery. She did all she could to reduce my expenses. During preparations for right eye surgery, Dr. Patel spent quality time with me explaining the results of my pre-surgery testing and asking questions to determine my vision goals. One of my desires was to once again see the front sight on a pistol. I thoroughly enjoyed going to the firing range, but due to the cataract in my right eye I could no longer see the sights, on my pistol. Although the cataract in my left eye was not as bad yet – I was also experiencing difficulty seeing and firing left handed. Using a blue gun (authentic plastic replica of a Sig P229 pistol), Dr. Patel took additional measurements which she used in determining the correct lens to implant, during my surgery. My right eye surgery took place on November 1, 2017. Two days after the surgery, I happened to glance at my mobile phone and for the first time in 10 years or more, I could read the information on the screen without glasses. I pulled the Sig out of its case and – wow! – The sight picture was there clear as a bell. So the right eye cataract is gone along with the rainbow halos around cars at night and the astigmatism has been corrected better than I dreamed possible. Quality of life restored! The process included the latest diagnostic equipment; the newest technology in an intraocular lens implant; and the use of a laser surgery technique performed by Dr. Patel. Sadly, insurance does not cover much of the cost for the process that produces the optimal results. When it comes to the long term correction of your vision and significant increase in the quality of life it is well worth the investment. Dr. Patel is a very accomplished and highly competent physician and surgeon. I will be forever grateful to her for restoring my vision. I highly recommend Dr. Patel. Jim Guhl Wichita, KS November 13, 2017
In Good Hands
by Luke F.
Category: lasik surgeryTalk about a life changing surgery!!! From the consultation to the surgery I knew I was in good hands. I would recommend WVI to anyone who is considering LASIK. Thanks WVI!
Life Changing!
by Ashley J.
Category: lasik surgeryI love Dr. Patel! After having my dreams crushed at another place when they told me I wasn't a candidate, I went to Dr Patel for a lasik consultation. She is very thorough and gave me information about my eyes that no doctor in almost 20 years has told me. A week ago I had Lasik and it has been life changing! I couldn't be happier and I'm so glad I chose Dr Patel. She truly cares about her patients and her passion shows. The wait time can be very long, but if you are prepared for that ahead of time, you won't be disappointed once you see the doctor. I'm recommending WVI to everyone I know. She is now the only doctor I trust for my eyes.
Impressed with Dr. Patel and Staff
by William D.
Category: cataract surgeryI first saw Dr. Patel about 6 years ago when my left eye wandered to the left side and stayed there. She sent me to the Dean McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma City for further evaluation. No reason was ever found as to why it did that but it corrected itself after about two months. Since then I have been seeing Dr. Patel regularly. I damaged the left eye in an accident and had to have a vitrectomy performed. She referred me to another specialist Dr. Paul Weishaar and that outcome was also great. The eye did develop a cataract and she performed that surgery a few months ago and suggested a plan for treating dry eyes. It was outstanding and since wearing glasses for over 50 years, I now just wear sunglasses. Simply amazing. Dr. Patel and her staff are the greatest and they know other great professionals if the need arises. They also do charity work and they are all a total blessing to me. I would not even consider going anywhere else. Just gotta love them.
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