Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness in people older than 55 years in the United States. Age related macular degeneration affects 30% of seniors over 75 years of age. Even though not curable, it is treatable, and like many other ocular conditions, early diagnosis is paramount.
Macular degeneration affects the central part of your vision, the one that allows you to see fine details and colors. It may manifest itself as blurry or distorted vision. However, the earliest signs of macular degeneration, the characteristic yellow deposits called "drusen" are only evident during a dilated eye examination.
Macular degeneration affects the central part of your vision, the one that allows you to see fine details and colors. It may manifest itself as blurry or distorted vision. However, the earliest signs of macular degeneration, the characteristic yellow deposits called "drusen" are only evident during a dilated eye examination.
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Dry Macular Degeneration
There are two types of macular degeneration: a "dry" form and a "wet" form. The most common is the "dry" type and it causes a slowly progressive loss of central vision, typically allowing for years of functional vision. The only available treatment for macular degeneration includes high dose vitamins and antioxidants in a specific combination ( AREDs formulation) that can help prevent the progression of this condition. Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation has also been found to be useful. |
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Wet Macular Degeneration
The "wet" form of macular degeneration is more aggressive and results in a more dramatic loss of vision. It is caused by the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the macula that can leak or break and cause a hemorrhage in your retina. If the last few years new medications have been developed (VEGF inhibitors) that allow vision recovery and prevent further vision loss in many patients, if used early after onset. |
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Even in advanced cases, macular degeneration does not cause total blindness. Peripheral vision is preserved and it helps with ambulation and coping mechanisms. Also adaptive devices and techniques have been developed that help patients use their remaining vision to partially compensate, sometimes even to be able to read again. These include magnifiers, loupes, closed circuit TV, computer monitor readers, etc. Also large print reading materials are more readily available.
So what can you do to prevent macular degeneration?. Even though there is a genetic and racial component to this condition, some contributing factors are preventable: do not smoke, keep a healthy and balanced diet, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts and fish, wear sunglasses when outside and control your blood pressure and cholesterol.
And do not forget your yearly appointment with your ophthalmologist, or at the first sign of visual loss or distortion.
So what can you do to prevent macular degeneration?. Even though there is a genetic and racial component to this condition, some contributing factors are preventable: do not smoke, keep a healthy and balanced diet, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts and fish, wear sunglasses when outside and control your blood pressure and cholesterol.
And do not forget your yearly appointment with your ophthalmologist, or at the first sign of visual loss or distortion.