Low Vision Care in San Mateo

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is a degenerative condition that affects the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye where light focuses to create the images we see. With AMD, the central most part of the retina, called the macula, begins to deteriorate and cause blurred vision.

AMD can progress to a point where central vision is completely blocked, making it the leading cause of blindness in people over 50. Over 1.6 million Americans have age-related macular degeneration.

Cataracts are a naturally occurring condition that affects the usually transparent lens in the eye. With age, the lens begins to cloud over, which interferes with how light enters the eye. Cataracts can range from a mild “haze” over the eye to a completely opaque lens that allows little to no light to pass through.

Surgery can be performed in healthy eyes to remove the clouded lens and replace it with a clear artificial lens, called an intraocular lens. However, surgery isn’t always an option for some individuals with low vision. These people will require low vision rehabilitation to maximize the vision they have.

Glaucoma is a condition often referred to as “the silent thief of sight.” The disease has garnered this name because it is often asymptomatic until vision loss begins to occur.

Glaucoma affects the optic nerve, which carries information from the visual system to the brain. The most common type of glaucoma occurs when the eye’s fluid cannot drain properly, causing internal eye pressure to rise. The elevated intraocular pressure puts stress on the optic nerve and subsequently damages it.

If diagnosed and treated early, vision loss related to glaucoma can often be minimized. However, if the condition is allowed to progress, severe vision loss, and even blindness can occur.