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What You Should Know About Having Surgery for Macular Degeneration

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If you have been diagnosed with macular degeneration — which is a common problem for many people as they age but can also be a genetic problem — then you could be wondering what is next. Depending on how severe your macular degeneration is, your doctor might recommend surgery. If this is something that your doctor has mentioned, or if it's something that you would like to learn more about so that you can ask your doctor whether or not it's right for you, then you will probably want to know the things listed below.

It's a Type of Laser Surgery

Typically, the surgery that is done for people who suffer from macular degeneration is a type of laser surgery. You might have heard of laser surgery that is done to correct vision, and you should know that the surgery that is done for macular degeneration is very similar. Basically, the surgeon who performs the procedure will use a laser to burn off tiny areas of your eye's macula, which can cause leaking blood vessels to be sealed off. Believe it or not, this can be a very successful surgery.

It Won't Make Your Vision Better

The whole reason why you might be seeking macular degeneration surgery in the first place could be because you have noticed a loss of vision since you have aged. Unfortunately, the surgery that is done for macular degeneration will not cause your vision to go back to the way that it was before you developed the condition. However, it will help put a stop to vision loss, so you shouldn't have to worry about your vision getting any worse. Ideally, you should talk to your doctor about this surgery as soon as possible after being diagnosed with macular degeneration. Then, you can hopefully have the surgery done so that you can stop the progression of the macular degeneration before it gets too bad.

Recovery Should Be Pretty Easy

Laser surgery for macular degeneration is pretty common, and it's typically considered to be safe. Of course, as with any procedure, there are some risks that you should be aware of, so make sure that you talk to your doctor beforehand. Overall, though, it is typically an outpatient procedure, so you should be able to go home after the procedure. Just make sure that you make arrangements for transportation and that you prepare to take a few days off from work or from various activities. Your doctor can tell you a little more about what to expect during the recovery process after your procedure, but overall, it should be pretty easy.


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