Macular Degeneration | Cowichan Eyecare

AMD Support

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss for Canadians over 50, but early support and targeted care can help preserve your sight.

At Cowichan Eyecare, we are committed to early detection, supportive care, and personalized treatment. With innovative technology, like MacuMira, dark adaptation testing at our Langford location, and vitamin analysis, we are here to protect and enhance your vision.

Whether you are living with dry AMD or want to understand your risk, our team is here with tools that go beyond standard eye exams. If you or someone you love is concerned about AMD, book an eye exam at one of our Cowichan Valley locations today.

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What Is AMD?

AMD affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. Over time, it can lead to blurry vision, difficulty reading, trouble recognizing faces, and the appearance of dark or distorted spots in your field of view. There are 2 main types:

Dry AMD is the most common form. It occurs when the macula gradually thins, leading to slow vision loss.
Wet AMD is less common but more severe. It involves the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina that can leak fluid or blood, damaging retinal cells and speeding up vision loss.

We offer treatment options like MacuMira to help our patients with dry AMD.

MacuMira: Retina Rejuvenation for Dry AMD

Cowichan Eyecare is proud to offer MacuMira therapy, a noninvasive treatment designed to support retinal health in patients with dry AMD.

MacuMira uses a specialized headset to deliver a microcurrent to mitochondria within your cells, leading to better cellular function, including dormant cells.

These currents stimulate the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a critical part of your visual system responsible for processing waste in the retina. By enhancing RPE function, MacuMira may help clear macular waste that contributes to vision decline.

MacuMira therapy at a glance:

Painless, 32-minute in-office sessions
Loading phase: 4 sessions over 10 days
Maintenance: 1 session every 2–3 months
Available at select Cowichan Eyecare locations

MacuMira is part of our commitment to bringing meaningful AMD care to our patients. Talk to us today about whether you or your loved one is a candidate.

Early Detection Matters

AMD often develops without symptoms, making routine eye exams essential for catching early changes. By the time you notice blurry or distorted central vision, damage may already be done.

Our team uses diagnostic imaging to detect AMD in its earliest stages, before you notice any vision loss. Early diagnosis allows us to recommend supplements, monitor changes more closely, and start treatments like MacuMira to help preserve your sight.

If you’re over 50 or have a family history of AMD, regular exams are one of the best ways to protect your central vision.

Dark Adaptation Testing

Taking longer for your eyes to adjust to darkness is one of the earliest signs of AMD. If you find it harder to see when moving from bright to dim environments, especially at night, it may signal early changes to your macula.

Available at our Langford location, this quick, noninvasive test measures how well your eyes adjust in low light. It helps us detect functional issues even sooner than you may notice changes to your vision. By catching signs of AMD before structural damage appears, we have more options to manage AMD early.

Ask about adding dark adaptation testing to your next visit if you have risk factors for AMD.

Managing AMD at Every Stage

Nutrition plays an important role in eye health. We offer antioxidant level testing and guidance to help patients make informed decisions about supplements and diet.

A healthy lifestyle, including the consumption of antioxidant-rich foods, smoking cessation, and UV protection, can help slow the progression of AMD.

There are steps you can take to slow AMD progression and improve your quality of life:

Use daily Amsler grid monitoring at home
Wear sunglasses with UV protection outdoors
Maintain regular follow-ups to monitor changes
Consider anti-VEGF injections for wet AMD (co-managed with trusted specialists)

Living with AMD can feel overwhelming, but Cowichan Eyecare is here to support you. Whether you need an early risk assessment or ongoing care, we’ll work with you to build a personalized plan. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.

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