Treating macular degeneration with Envision Opthalmology

By Mary Malik

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) cannot be avoided or cured for patients experiencing the condition, but AMD can now be treated in many circumstances, delaying vision deterioration.

“AMD is a form of aging of the eye and is generally asymptomatic in its early stages,” says E. Shanika Esparaz, MD, founder of Envision Ophthalmology & Wellness. “It can remain in its mildest stage for a long time, even forever, but can also progress to where vision becomes extremely impaired.”

AMD happens at the center of the eye affecting central vision. Patients can be left with only peripheral vision and unable to drive, recognize faces or read.

At her direct care clinic, Dr. Esparaz treats a wide variety of eye conditions. She is double board certified in ophthalmology, and lifestyle medicine and prevention through education is a large part of her practice. “There are two forms of AMD, dry and wet,” Dr. Esparaz says. “Patients are diagnosed through a dilated eye exam recommended for everyone at age 50 and earlier if experiencing symptoms. Dry MD is most common, but in about 10 percent of these patients dry MD will advance to wet MD, where swelling or blood is present at the center of the eye, accelerating vision deterioration.”

Treatment for wet MD involves eye injections to drain blood, relieve swelling and preserve vision. Recently, though, treatment for advanced dry MD is saving the vision of many patients.

“This revolutionary injection treatment was never available for any stage of dry MD,” says Dr. Exparaz. “Although not a cure, these injections can slow the process significantly and preserve usable vision for a longer period of time.”

Envision Ophthalmology and Wellness is located at 6551 Wilson Mills Road, Suite 103, in Mayfield, next door to Austin’s Steakhouse. For more information call 440-291-3051, email Dr. Esparaz at info@envisioncleveland.net or check the website EnvisionCle.com.