Do You Know the Signs of AMD During Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month?

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February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration Month, and it helps to shed light on the condition. AMD is a breakdown of the macula.

The macula is the part of your eye that allows you to see fine details. While the exact cause of the disease remains unknown, it affects people due to aging.

Some people start experiencing the symptoms of AMD as early as their fifties. The likelihood of developing the condition dramatically increases as you enter your 60s and 70s.

Warning Signs of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

AMD affects your central vision. When you have age-related macular degeneration, colors become less vivid, and straight lines can start appearing wavy or curved. Below are more signs of AMD you should be aware of:

Dark Spots in Your Central Vision

If you have shadowy sections in the center of your vision, AMD might be responsible. In some cases, age-related macular degeneration can also result in a whited-out area in the middle of your visual field. This defect impacts your ability to recognize faces, drive, read, or watch TV.

Blurry Vision

AMD either presents no symptoms, or they will come on more gradually. You might realize you have blurry vision over time, especially when focusing on up-close objects.

You may also find that you cannot read what is on a medicine bottle or require more reading light. These symptoms slowly become worse.

Poor Depth Perception

Are you unable to judge distances properly? AMD may be the reason behind it. This can make walking harder and lead to missteps that can cause serious injuries.

Contrast Sensitivity

If it is becoming more challenging to see slight textures and contrasts in stairs and pavements, this can increase your risk of falling. It might also be an indication of AMD.

You are 50 Years and Older

Have you recently celebrated your 50th birthday, or are you over the age of 50? It is essential to see your eye doctor at Grand Rapids Ophthalmology for regular eye exams.

Regular eye exams will ensure any vision problems, including AMD, are detected early before the symptoms have a chance to become more severe.

The Inability to Adjust to Changing Light Levels

If you have macular degeneration, you may find it hard to adjust to lighting that goes from very dark to very bright and vice versa. For instance, if everything appears black when you step into a dimly lit room and need several minutes to adjust to the lighting changes, these may be signs of AMD.

Early detection of age-related macular degeneration is crucial in preventing extensive eye degradation and total vision loss. Although the disease currently doesn’t have a cure, various treatment options can considerably slow its progress and stop severe vision loss.

These include vitamins, anti-angiogenesis drugs, and laser therapy.

Save Your Eyesight by Scheduling Routine Eye Exams

At Grand Rapids Ophthalmology, our eye doctors diagnose and treat a wide variety of eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration. It is imperative to see your ophthalmologist immediately if you’re experiencing symptoms of AMD.

If your eye exam is overdue or you want to start seeing an ophthalmologist, there is no better time than right now.

Schedule an Appointment

Schedule an appointment today to experience the GRO difference. Call 616.588.6598 or click here.

Our Locations

Grand Rapids Ophthalmology is pleased to provide top-quality, comprehensive eye care to our patients in the Greater Grand Rapids area. We have 15 conveniently located eye care centers that utilize the latest and most advanced technologies across the entire spectrum of ophthalmology. If you are seeking information about one of our eye care locations please click into our locations page for more information. Hours are subject to change due to upcoming Holidays.

Construction Update: The ramp from US-131 northbound to I-96 westbound is closed and will remain closed through mid-September. Please allow extra travel time and plan routes accordingly to arrive for your appointment on time.

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East Beltline
Grand Rapids Ophthalmology
East Beltline Medical Center
750 East Beltline Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(Located on the Southeast corner of East Beltline and Bradford - enter from Bradford)
616.588.6598
Hours
M, W, Th, F: 8am – 5pm
Late Night – T: 8am – 7pm
Sat: 8am – 11am
Phones answered Mon thru Fri 8am-5pm
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Grandville
Grand Rapids Ophthalmology
Rivertown Office Center
4475 Wilson Ave SW
Grandville, MI 49418
(Located on the Northwest corner of 44th St/Rivertown Pkwy and Wilson - enter from Wilson)
616.588.6598
Hours
Tu, W, F: 8am-5pm
Late Nights – M, Th: 8am-7pm
Phones answered Mon thru Fri 8am-5pm
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Walker
Grand Rapids Ophthalmology (Located on the upper level)
3300 Walker View Dr
Walker, MI 49544
(Located North of Walker Avenue exit on I-96 – enter on the upper level)
616.588.6598
Hours
M, T, Th, F: 8am-5pm
Late Night – W: 8am-7pm
Phones answered Mon thru Fri 8am-5pm
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Cutlerville
Grand Rapids Ophthalmology
Corewell Health Care Center
80 68th St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
(Located inside the Corewell Helath Care Center on the corner of 68th St and Division)
*Please note there is no exterior signage showing Grand Rapids Ophthalmology at this time.
616.588.6598
Hours
M, W, Th, F: 8am-5pm
Late Night – Tu: 8am-6pm
Phones answered Mon thru Fri 8am-5pm
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Rockford
Grand Rapids Ophthalmology
Mercy Health Campus
6050 Northland Dr NE, Suite 100
Rockford, MI 49341
616.588.6598
Hours
M, W, Th, F: 8am-5pm
Late Night – Tu: 8am-7pm
Phones answered Mon thru Fri 7am-5pm
Caledonia
Grand Rapids Ophthalmology
Mercy Health Campus
10047 Crossroads Ct SE
Caledonia, MI 49316
616.588.6598
Hours
M, Tu, W, Th, F: 8am-5pm
Closed 12pm-1pm daily
Phones answered Mon thru Fri 8am-5pm
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East Grand Rapids
Lakeshore Eye
717 Bagley Ave SE
East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
616.588.6575
Hours
M-Th: 8am-5pm
F: Closed (until December 1, 2023)
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Holland
Grand Rapids Ophthalmology
Lakeshore Medical Campus
3235 N Wellness Dr, Suite 130
Holland, MI 49424
(Located ¼ mile East of US-31 on the left)
616.994.0477
Hours
M, W, Th: 8am-5pm
F: 7:30am-3:30pm
Late Night – Tu: 8am-7pm
Phones answered Mon thru Thurs 8am-5pm & Fri 7:30am-3:30pm
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Ionia
Grand Rapids Ophthalmology
537 W Main St
Ionia, MI 48846
616.527.1640
Hours
M, W, Th, F: 8am-5pm
Late Night – Tu: 8am-7pm
Phones answered Mon thru Fri 8am-5pm
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Greenville
Grand Rapids Ophthalmology
705 S Greenville W Dr. #Suite 201
Greenville MI 48838
616.754.5667
Hours
M: 7:30am-6pm
Tu, W: 7:30am-4:30pm
Th: 8am-5pm
F: 7:30am-4:30pm
Standale
511 Wilson Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49534
616.301.8663
Hours
M, W, Th, F: 8am-5pm
Late Night – T: 8am-7pm
Phones answered Mon thru Fri 8am – 5pm
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GRO Surgical Center
Grand Rapids Ophthalmology Surgical Care Center
750 East Beltline Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(Located on Southeast corner of East Beltline and Bradford – enter on the second floor)
616.588.6598
Hours
M, TU, W, Th, F: 8am-5pm
Phones answered Mon thru Fri 8am-5pm
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Walker Surgical Center
Walker Surgical Center
3300 Walker View Dr
Walker, MI 49544
(Located North of Walker Avenue exit on I-96 – enter on the lower level)
616.588.6570
Hours
M, Tu, W, Th, F: 6am-5pm
Phones answered Mon thru Fri 6am-5pm
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