Vision Health | Rudrani Banik, MD

Macular Degeneration Risk Factors

Although the causes of age-related macular degeneration are complex, many of the risk factors can be controlled. Some of the risk factors that are under our control such as smoking, high blood pressure, being overweight altogether and also around the abdomen, and sun...

What Are The Symptoms of Macular Degeneration?

Before symptoms are noticed, age-related macular degeneration can often be detected during an eye exam. During the early stages of AMD, small drusen or waste deposits are noticeable on the surface of the retina. A change in color or pigment can be seen on the macula....

How Does Ultraviolet Light and Blue Light Worsen Macular Degeneration?

Ultraviolet and Blue light ultraviolet light is the part of the spectrum of invisible light below 286nm to 400nm. This portion of the spectrum is harmful to the eye and can lead to cataracts and other diseases of the eye such as age-related macular degeneration....

Leaky Eye Syndrome and Macular Degeneration

You may have heard of leaky gut or leaky brain, but have you heard of leaky eye syndrome? Similar to the other syndromes caused by inflammation and increased permeability, in leaky eye syndrome, normal barriers within blood vessels break down.

When vessels leak, the eye’s delicate tissues are exposed to blood products, fluid, and proteins. This leakage triggers the immune system and propagates a cycle of further inflammation. Leaky eye syndrome ultimately causes loss of vision, and in some cases, even blindness.

Macular degeneration is the prototypical leaky eye syndrome. Let me explain.

What is Integrative Ophthalmology?

When I introduce myself to patients as an Integrative Ophthalmologist specializing in Functional Medicine, I often get quizzical looks. The response is usually, “I’ve never heard of that before! What exactly do you do?”

What Is The Difference Between Dry and Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Learn about the two types of macular degeneration – dry and wet. Also learn why Dr. Banik has identified wet AMD as “leaky eye” syndrome.

What Is Macular Degeneration?

Learn about the leading cause of blindness in the world, macular degeneration, and what can be done to prevent it.

Top 3 Foods To Fight Macular Degeneration

Nutrition plays an essential role in preventing eye disease. Consuming a nutritious and well-balanced diet of eye-smart foods can help prevent diseases of the eye such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Here are the top three foods for preventing...

What Exactly Is Macular Degeneration? And What Does It Look Like In The Eye?

Macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness in the world. It has two forms- dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration occurs when lipids, minerals, and proteins accumulate in the back of the eye underneath the retina. These deposits are called “drusen”, the...

Age-Related Macular Degeneration – How Is It Diagnosed?

Age-related macular degeneration can be diagnosed during an eye exam. Your ophthalmologist may have you look at an Amsler grid. This 20x 20 square grid that looks like graph paper helps you identify any blurry, distorted, or missing areas in your central field of...

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