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What is Macular Degeneration?
Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) traditionally affects individuals over the age of 55.
ARMD is a retinal disease that causes deterioration of the macula, which is responsible for central
vision.Your retina is made of cells that line the back of your eye. The light falling onto these cells is
transformed into electrical signals which are transmitted to the brain.
There are two types of age-related macular degeneration, a "wet" type and a "dry" type. The dry
type has a better prognosis and progresses more slowly. The wet type has abnormal blood vessels
that grow, causing leakage, bleeding or scarring. This can cause vision loss and distortion.
Risk Factors for Macular Degeneration:
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Family History
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Smoking
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Age
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High Blood Pressure
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Sun Exposure
Symptoms of Macular Degeneration:
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Wavy Lines on Amsler Grid
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Distorted Vision
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Dark or Shaded Areas in Vision
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Difficulty Recognizing Faces
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Difficulty Reading in Low Lighting Conditions
Normal Vision Vision with Macular Degeneration
How is Macular Degeneration Treated?
The are currently no treatments available to reverse dry macular degeneration. The Age Related Eye
Disease Study (AREDS), sponsored by the National Eye Institute, revealed that high levels of antioxidants
and zinc were effective in reducing the risk of advanced macular degeneration. The use of sunglasses and
a wide brimmed hat to reduce ultraviolet light exposure is also reccomended to prevent macular
degeneration. Avoiding smoking and controling blood pressure are other ways to prevent macular
degeneration. Checking an amsler grid weekly and seeing an Ophthalmologist yearly can help you detect
macular degeneration. Click on the link below to print out a copy of an amsler grid so you can test yourself
at home.
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TEBS Vitamin Formula |
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Amsler Grid |
There are multiple treatments available for wet macular degeneration.
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Laser surgery or photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be required in certain types of leakage to halt the progression and stabilize the vision.
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Avastin and Lucentis are injections which are effective in stopping, and in some cases, reversing vision loss from macular degeneraion.
If "wet" macular degeneration is detected in one eye, there is a 10% chance each year, that the other eye
will become involved. This is why it is very important to use the Amsler grid each day to detect distortion.
Good illumination devices and magnifiers may help to maximize the central and peripheral vision in patients
with macular degeneration.
Contact us today for more information on macular degeneration and available treatment. |
