senior woman with AMD

Macular Degeneration

Know your risks and preserve your vision

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What Is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration, also called AMD or age-related macular degeneration, occurs when the macula — the central portion of the retina — begins to wear down, causing central vision loss.

People who suffer from AMD tend to lose their “straight ahead” vision, making it difficult to read, drive, and recognize faces. 

Total vision loss is unlikely, as there's typically enough peripheral vision to allow for other activities of daily life. 

Man with macular degeneration


Types of Macular Degeneration:

macular degeneration types

  • Dry AMD: small deposits called drusen damage retinal nerve cells and reduce vision
  • Wet AMD: new blood vessels form that leak and release fluid that harms the macula. This is a more severe form of AMD that can more quickly cause vision loss.

Don’t Let AMD Rob You of Your Sight

An estimated 196 million people are living with macular degeneration worldwide. Although those affected by it rarely lose all their vision, the vast majority suffer from some degree of vision loss. 

While there is currently no cure for AMD, there are certain treatments that can slow its progression — and low vision aids that can increase independent functioning.

If you think you're at risk or are experiencing symptoms, contact Oasis Vision Center today. We can diagnose and help treat the disease.


Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

Please note, our practice closes daily 12 PM to 1 PM for lunch.


Macular Degeneration Treatment in Mesa

Our optometry practice in Mesa

Photograph of Marci Pieper
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Nov. 23 Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife

Risk Factors for AMD

  • Aged 50+

    The onset of AMD usually happens over the age of 50 and increases substantially with time. For instance, a 2% risk at age 55 can turn into a 30% risk by age 75.

  • Lifestyle factors

    Smoking or eating a diet high in saturated fat can increase your risk of AMD. Furthermore, these habits increase the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease–two additional risk factors for AMD.

  • Obesity

    Research shows that people with a BMI of over 30 double their chances of developing AMD.

  • Family History

    If you have a close relative with AMD, you have a higher risk of developing this eye condition.


How to Stop the Progression of Macular Degeneration

While there isn’t yet a cure for AMD or an effective way of reversing vision loss that has already occurred, you can take certain steps and adopt new habits to slow the progression of the disease.

Furthermore, certain treatments can slow its progression and low vision aids that can increase independent functioning.

Talk to us about how you can slow the progression of the disease and avoid vision loss by contacting Oasis Vision Center today. 

Photograph

Patient Reviews
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240 Reviews
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- Sep. 06, 2023
Dr. Pieper and her staff are friendly, professional and overall amazing. I recommend them 100%.
- Sep. 04, 2023
I SAW PEOPLE LOVE THIS LOCATION AND HAD TO SEE FOR MYSELF! I found: Attentive, professional, and pro... mpt staff. The office is clean and the doctor listens to you ramble on!! Lol. I recommend this location. PS- my contacts and glasses arrived within 2-3 days from each other. I waited about a week to get my stuff. 🥹 Other locations COULD NEVER! [For anyone saying this is a terrible location you are HATEFUL AND A KAREN/KEVIN. Move on.]
- Sep. 04, 2023
I moved to the east valley and needed to find a new eye care center. Oasis staff and Dr Pieper were ... friendly, efficient and went beyond my expectations. I’m so happy to have found them and been made to feel so comfortable.
- Sep. 02, 2023
Really nice staff, prompt intake process, great selection of frames. Definitely recommend.
- Sep. 02, 2023
Dr Pieper and Staff are very understanding and thorough. I’m so glad that I found them
- Aug. 09, 2023
Dr. Pieper is very knowledgeable, professional, and willing to take the time to answer any questions... you may have. The office is beautiful, and everyone that works there is friendly, very welcoming, and very helpful.
- Jul. 19, 2023
Shout out to the team over there at Oasis Vision! I've been going there for over ten years and appre... ciate their attention to detail, their patience and kindness. Plus, I trust Dr Pieper!! Good combo!
- Jul. 15, 2023
(Translated by Google) The attention was wonderful, I felt very comfortable, they looked for a perso... n who spoke my language and helped me with everything. Very professional. I recommend it! (Original) La atención fue maravillosa, me sentí muy cómoda, buscaron una persona que hablara mi idioma y me ayudó con todo. Muy profesionales. Lo recomiendo!
- Jul. 07, 2023
Thorough exam and diagnosis. Confident in results and recommendations.
- Jun. 24, 2023
Great customer service and very professional friendly staff.
- May. 29, 2023
Dr. Pieper is knowledgeable, professional, and engaging. I highly recommend her to anyone looking fo... r an optometrist. The staff at Oasis is excellent as well. Satisfying experience all around.
- May. 25, 2023
Great people, great service!
- May. 15, 2023
Excellent experience, couldn't have asked for better.
- May. 11, 2023
I very much enjoyed my time at Oasis, everyone there had a smile and was thoughtful and very informa... tive throughout. I’ve been to a few other places for my eye exams but Oasis definitely set my standards higher. They guided me through the process and made me feel valued. Thank you to everyone that helped me, I can’t wait to get my glasses!
- May. 01, 2023
The best vision center for an exam and glasses!
- Apr. 28, 2023
Dr. Doreen Ng delivered superb care without rushing and excellent referral to Arizona Retinal Consul... tants.
- Apr. 28, 2023
I can’t say enough about Oasis! Dr Pieper was amazing and the office staff was really fun! Andrew ... is hilarious and I am happy to say I won’t go anywhere else! Thanks everyone for helping me to get my new glasses.
- Mar. 31, 2023
Wonderful, caring service!
- Mar. 22, 2023
Friendly and knowledgeable staff. I’ve been going here for over fifteen years and would highly rec... ommend it.
- Mar. 17, 2023
I highly recommend Oasis Vision Center. I have seen many optometrists in my life as I began wearing ... glasses from a very young age. The staff at Oasis Vision are the most compassionate, knowledgeable, and helpful in the business! I needed to get my eyes 20/20 in order to achieve my dream of flying and Dr. Marci Pieper took the time to really dial in my prescription like no other had previously done for me. Thank you!

View All 240 Reviews

Macular Degeneration FAQs

What are the first signs of AMD?

You may have AMD and not know it. Typically, symptoms may not develop until the advanced stage of the eye disease.

First signs of AMD may include: 

  • Blurred vision
  • Blind spots or dark spots
  • Straight lines appearing distorted or wavy
  • Faded colors 

 For early detection and better outcomes, it's important to undergo regular eye exams at our eye clinic, especially if you have a family history of AMD or other risk factors. 

How common is macular degeneration?

Statistics indicate that 8.7% of the world population has macular degeneration. The rate of AMD is expected to increase from 196 million in 2022 to 288 million by 2040.

What is the best treatment for macular degeneration?

Currently, the most common treatment for wet AMD is the injection of medications called anti-VEGF agents. High levels of VEGF in the eye increase the formation of abnormal blood vessels that cause much of the damage in wet AMD.


senior couple with AMD wearing glasses

Don’t let AMD stop you from doing the things you love.

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