senior woman with AMD

Macular Degeneration

Know your risks and preserve your vision

(512) 328-0015

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 Innovative Eyecare today. We can diagnose and help treat the disease.


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 Innovative Eyecare today. 

Photograph


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.

Patient Reviews
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269 Reviews
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- Oct. 10, 2024
Thank you so much
- Oct. 03, 2024
Dr. Trinidad and the rest of the staff made the whole experience very pleasant and quick! They were ... very knowledgeable, and friendly, definitely would recommend.
- Jul. 29, 2024
The staff here are very friendly and professional. The gentleman who helped me with my frames was ev... en able to fix my favorite old Ray-Ban sunglasses that had a screw broken in the frame - now I can finally wear them again! I’m a happy customer. 🙂
- Jul. 03, 2024
Dr. Felicia Freeman was fantastic and really took the time to get my prescription right and go over ... my retinal imaging. I would highly recommend Dr. Freeman and Innovative Eyecare!
- Jul. 01, 2024
Absolutely phenomenal practice. Not only did they get me in really quickly, the service was amazing....
- Jun. 07, 2024
Dr. Trinidad is exceptionally knowledgeable and took the time to thoroughly explain every aspect of ... what he was doing and what I could do as a patient. The Staff was very patient with any questions I had and provided detailed answers, which made me confident in the care I was receiving. The selection of eyewear is vast and the staff was extremely helpful in assisting me to find the perfect pair. Overall, my experience with Dr. Trinidad and Innovative Eye care exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend them!
- May. 28, 2024
I am a new patient and had a great experience with Dr Haselhorst and the whole team. The equipment t... hey use makes checking your eyes fast and painless and the people are so nice. Dr Haselhorst is very knowledgeable and was patient answering all my questions which was great. This is a great place to go for your eyes! I highly recommend
- May. 25, 2024
Fun crew, easy experience. Patrick's gotta work on that hook shot. Dr. Freeman was rad.
- Apr. 11, 2024
My recent visit to Innovative Eyecare, where I had the pleasure of being treated by Dr. Joel Trinida... d, was truly exceptional. From the moment I stepped into the clinic, I was greeted with warmth and professionalism by the staff, setting a welcoming tone for my appointment. Dr. Trinidad's expertise and attentiveness were immediately apparent. He took the time to listen to my concerns and thoroughly explain each step of the examination process, ensuring I felt comfortable and informed throughout. His knowledge and passion for optometry were evident, and I felt confident in his recommendations for my eye health. Not only was Dr. Trinidad incredibly skilled, but he also possessed a genuine care for his patients' well-being. He went above and beyond to address all of my questions and concerns, providing personalized advice tailored to my lifestyle and needs. The clinic was clean, modern, and equipped with the latest technology, ensuring accurate diagnoses and efficient treatment. Overall, I cannot recommend Dr. Joel Trinidad and Innovative Eyecare highly enough. Their commitment to excellence in patient care, combined with their friendly demeanor, make them the go-to choice for anyone seeking exceptional eye care services. Thank you, Dr. Trinidad, and the entire team at Innovative Eyecare, for a truly wonderful experience!
- Jan. 31, 2024
Very professional staff and incredibly kind. Glasses are often thought of as an accessory that hinde... rs confidence and self esteem, but my optician helped me pick out frames that made me feel stylish and professional. Thank you, innovative eye care staff!
- Nov. 30, 2023
I enjoyed my visit at Innovative eye care. Every encounter was smooth from the check in process, the... tech, and finally Dr.Joel Trinidad. He was informative when explaining my Optos scans, patient, and had great bedside manner.
- Nov. 27, 2023
It’s been 15 years since I’ve had my eyes checked out so I was a bit apprehensive about going. T... hat being said I had a great visit with Dr. Trinidad! Appointment set up was easy. Very little wait time. And Dr. Trinidad was calming and thorough. Really made it easy, painless, and got all my questions answered to a great detail. Recommend!
- Nov. 07, 2023
Been a customer around 20 years, but this was the first time as a retiree w/o vision insurance. Cami... lle patiently and thoroughly educated me about my many options and found ways to bring down the cost of my glasses. Superb customer care and assistance! They are fortunate to have someone of her caliber on the team and I'm so grateful she helped me!!
- Sep. 20, 2023
I have long been a patient of Dr. Dan McQueen and have always experienced excellent care from Dr. Mc... Queen and Innovative Eyecare, but I wanted to commend his caring staff, especially Monique. I live outside of Austin and needed 2 prescriptions filled for an eye inflammation. Monique spent the better part of the morning assisting me in finding a pharmacy nearby that had both medicines in stock so I did not have to drive to multiple locations. Her initiative and thoughtfulness are so appreciated, I highly recommend Innovative Eyecare.
- Jan. 26, 2023
I have been a customer of Innovative Eyecare now for 2 years, and I have had nothing but GOOD experi... ences every time - from the front desk personnel, to the Optometrist, to the associates helping with picking out my frames. However, I must say that this last visit was TRULY an amazing experience of "good customer service" by Melissa Hernandez. Melissa went out of her way days later to double-check my insurance coverage for my purchase because something didn't seem right to her, and I am SO THANKFUL that she decided to investigate a little further - because it did help with cost for my purchase. To have someone call you days later because they took it upon themselves to ensure that their customer was getting the right price says a lot about the kind of customer service Melissa wants to give to those who come in to Innovative Eyecare! Thanks again to the entire team for always putting on a smile and making me feel welcomed and comfortable every time I visit. Blessings!
- Nov. 21, 2021
Very good dr and staff
- Nov. 16, 2021
It was so easy to get a timely appointment and fill out forms as a new patient, with helpful reminde... rs and resources and onsite team communication along the way. It was very safe (masks, freshly sanitized equipment), and fast BUT it was also very thorough. Dr. McQueen and the team were incredibly helpful explaining each step of the exam, what to keep in mind / look out for in general with eye health, and walking through options for contact lens types for my specific needs. It was very efficient but very individualized care!
- Nov. 10, 2021
Always excellent service and customer service. Highly recommend
- Nov. 03, 2021
They are always very pleasant & nice Helpful with my pick of my new glasses I love Dr Thai
- Oct. 21, 2021
Always do a detailed examination of the eye and compare it to prior years so I know how eyes are doi... ng! Been using innovative for over 10 years now plan to go back next year!

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Macular Degeneration Treatment in West Oak Hill

Our optometry practice in West Oak Hill

Photograph of Joel  Trinidad
Hours
  • Monday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • Avesis
  • Blue Cross

senior couple with AMD wearing glasses

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

(512) 328-0015