Macular Degeneration
Carrollwood provides care for the treatment of macular degeneration, a common eye health issues affecting seniors (and increasingly the young!).

Caring for Eyes as We Age
Macular degeneration is a common eye disorder among people over 50. It causes blurred or reduced central vision, due to thinning of the macula (MAK-u-luh). The macula is the part of the retina responsible for clear vision in your direct line of sight. Macular degeneration may first develop in one or both eyes and then affect both eyes. Over time, your vision may worsen and affect your ability to do things, such as read, drive and recognize faces. This doesn’t mean you’ll lose all of your sight; vision loss is typically central and people retain their peripheral vision. Some people have only mild, central vision loss, while in others it can be more severe. Early detection and self-care measures may delay vision loss due to dry macular degeneration.
Macular degeneration symptoms usually develop gradually and without pain. They may include:
- Visual distortions, such as straight lines seeming bent
- Reduced central vision in one or both eyes
- The need for brighter light when reading or doing close-up work
- Increased difficulty adapting to low light levels, such as when entering a dimly lit restaurant
- Increased blurriness of printed words
- Decreased intensity or brightness of colors
- Difficulty recognizing faces
- A well-defined blurry spot or blind spot in your field of vision
More Eye Care Services
More than a Comprehensive eye exam
Dr. Sims and your doctors at Carrollwood will work with you to find the right type of contacts that will feel comfortable on your eyes and help you see your best.