Macula Services in Washington, DC
The macula is at the center of your retina and is responsible for your central vision. It’s located at the back of your eyeball.
How the Macula Helps Your Vision
The macula translates light into the visual images your eyes see. As light passes through the lens of your eye, it hits the retina. The light-sensitive photoreceptors change the light into an electrical signal, which travels along the optic nerve and into your brain.
What Happens When the Macula is Damaged
When the macula is damaged, as a result of macular degeneration, macular edema, or other conditions, your vision will get worse. You may start experiencing:
- Blurred or wavy vision
- Difficulty picking out small details
- Difficulty recognizing faces
Conditions and Diseases Affecting the Macula
The most common diseases and conditions affecting the macula include:
- Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD – causing abnormal blood vessel formation, which leaks fluid into the macula
- Macular pucker – caused by vitreous fluid becoming partially attached to the macula
- Macular edema – caused by fluid leaking into the macula, which leads to swelling and edema
Signs and Symptoms of Macular Problems
You should see your eye doctor if you begin experiencing:
- Blurred or wavy vision
- Double vision
- Eye pain that doesn’t resolve
- Sensitivity to light
How Your Eye Doctor Can Help with Macular Problems
Your eye doctor will check your macula at your regular eye exam. If you have diabetes, your eye doctor may also perform a diabetic eye exam, which includes a few more tests to check the health of your eyes. Your eye doctor may recommend adding specific nutrients and eye-healthy foods to your diet. Eye drops and other medications may also be recommended. In severe cases of macular problems, surgery may be indicated.