Macular degeneration is my problem and what can be done about it? There is no cure or treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD) at this time. You may not have significant problems with your vision for many years. Vision loss happens very slowly and is usually not severe. It often affects only one eye, and you may be able to adjust for the vision loss with the unaffected eye. If you have dry AMD, follow your doctor's recommendations for having regular exams and monitoring the condition at home (such as using an Amsler grid), because dry AMD may sometimes develop into wet AMD. In a few cases, wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), which is the more serious form of the disease, can be treated with thermal laser photocoagulation surgery or photodynamic therapy (PDT). Treatment cannot cure AMD, but it can stop its progression. Other types of surgery and treatments using radiation or medicines are being investigated, but these are considered experimental and are not part of standard treatment. Not all cases of wet AMD can be treated. Only about 10% to 15% of cases can be effectively treated with laser photocoagulation surgery, and only about 20% to 30% of cases can be treated with PDT.Treatment cannot restore vision, but it can sometimes slow down or delay further damage to your central vision. However, in most cases growth of fragile new blood vessels in wet AMD recurs, and even repeated treatment is not usually effective over the long term in preventing some loss of central vision. Because wet AMD often causes rapid and severe loss of central vision, it is important not to delay treatment if your doctor recommends it. Im not sure what can be done, but i know a lagre contributing factor to your eyesight is your intake of cholestorol and Margerine so try limit your intake. Hope things wokr out Nothing I'm afraid but if you smoke you must quit immediately as that will make it much worse. You can use magnifying software for the pc and just keep your cholestrol low. It has no cure. Your ophtalmologist may stop its progress using Argon Laser. The more you delay the treatment, the worse the problem will become.
It's not the worse eye disease, but it's severe anyway.
See an ophtalmologist as soon as possible. In the past, not much, but, I saw a program in which Dr. Oz spoke of diet improvement which could be attained thru the web. This is a major eye disease that can blind you. See an expert medical specialist in eye care immediately! They cannot cure, but can stop its advance. The Internet is NOT the answer; the treatment you get is. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over age 60. It occurs when the small central portion of the retina, known as the macula, deteriorates. The retina is the light-sensing nerve tissue at the back of the eye. Because the disease develops as a person ages, it is often referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Although macular degeneration is almost never a blinding condition, it can be a source of significant visual disability.
There are two main types of age-related macular degeneration:
Dry form. The "dry" form of macular degeneration is characterized by the presence of yellow deposits, called drusen, in the macula. In general, drusen do not cause changes in vision; however, as they grow in size and increase in number, they may lead to a dimming or distortion of vision that people find most noticeable when they read. In more advanced stages of dry macular degeneration, there is also a thinning of the light-sensitive layer of cells in the macula leading to atrophy, or tissue death. In the atrophic form of dry macular degeneration, patients may have blind spots in the center of their vision. In the advanced stages, patients lose central vision.
Wet form. The "wet" form of macular degeneration is characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels from the choroid underneath the macula. This is called choroidal neovascularization. These blood vessels leak blood and fluid into the retina, causing distortion of vision that makes straight lines look wavy, as well as blind spots and loss of central vision. These abnormal blood vessels eventually scar, leading to permanent loss of central vision.
Most patients with macular degeneration have the dry form of the disease and will not lose central vision. However, the dry form of macular degeneration can lead to the wet form. Although only about 10% of people with macular degeneration develop the wet form, they make up the majority of those who experience serious vision loss from the disease.
It is very important for people with macular degeneration to monitor their eyesight carefully and see their eye doctor on a regular basis.
What Are the Risk Factors for Macular Degeneration?
As the name suggests, age-related macular degeneration is more common in older adults. In fact, it is the leading cause of severe vision loss in adults over age 60.
Macular degeneration may be hereditary, meaning it can be passed on from parents to children. If someone in your family has or had the condition you may be at higher risk for developing macular degeneration. Talk to your eye doctor about your individual risk.
Smoking is also significant risk factor for macular degeneration.
What Are the Symptoms of Macular Degeneration?
In its early stages, macular degeneration may not have symptoms and may be unrecognized until it progresses or affects both eyes. The first sign of macular degeneration is usually distortion of straight lines. This may progress to a gradual loss of central vision.
Symptoms of macular degeneration include:
Straight lines start to appear distorted, or the center of vision becomes distorted
Dark, blurry areas or white out appears in the center of vision
Diminished or changed color perception
If you experience any of these symptoms, see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
How Is Macular Degeneration Diagnosed?
Macular degeneration can be detected in a routine eye exam. One of the most common early signs of macular degeneration is the presence of drusen -- tiny yellow deposits under the retina. Your doctor can see these when examining your eyes. Your doctor may also ask you to look at an Amsler grid -- a pattern of straight lines that resemble a checkerboard. Some of the straight lines may appear wavy to you, or you may notice that some of the lines are missing. These can be signs of macular degeneration.
If your doctor detects macular degeneration, you may have a procedure called fluorescein angiography. In this procedure, a dye, called fluorescein, is injected into a vein in the arm. Photographs are taken to show the movement of the dye as it reaches the eye and passes through the blood vessels of the retina. If there are new vessels leaking fluid or blood in the macula, the photographs will show their exact location and their type.
Early detection of macular degeneration is very important because there are treatments that can delay or reduce the severity of the disease.
What Treatments Are Available for Macular Degeneration?
There is currently no cure for macular degeneration, but treatments may prevent severe vision loss or slow the progression of the disease considerably. Several options are available, including:
Vitamins. A large study performed by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health, called AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study), showed that for certain individuals, vitamins C, E, beta carotene, zinc and copper can decrease the risk of vision loss in patients with intermediate to advanced dry macular degeneration. Ask your eye doctor if these vitamin supplements will benefit you before taking them.
Laser therapy. High-energy laser light can sometimes be used to destroy actively growing abnormal blood vessels that occur in macular degeneration.
Photodynamic laser therapy. A two-step treatment in which a light sensitive drug is used to damage the abnormal blood vessels. A doctor injects the drug into the bloodstream to be absorbed by the abnormal blood vessels in the eye. The doctor then shines a cold laser into the eye to activate the drug, damaging the abnormal blood vessels.
Anti-angiogenesis drugs. New drugs are being used to slow down or prevent the growth of the abnormal blood vessels within the eye.
Low vision aids. Devices that have special lenses or electronic systems that produce enlarged images of nearby objects. They help people who have vision loss from macular degeneration make the most of their remaining vision.
Researchers are studying new treatments for macular degeneration. The following treatments are considered experimental.
Submacular surgery. Surgery to remove the abnormal blood vessels or blood.
Retinal translocation. A surgical procedure used to destroy abnormal blood vessels that are located directly under the center of the macula, where a laser beam cannot be placed safely. In the procedure, the macular center is rotated away from the abnormal blood vessels to a healthy area of the retina, thus preventing the formation of scar tissue and further damage to the retina. Once moved away from the abnormal blood vessels, a laser is used to treat the abnormal blood vessels.
What Is the Outlook for People With Macular Degeneration?
Unfortunately, macular degeneration can recur even after successful treatment. Because of this, individuals with macular degeneration must test their own vision regularly and follow up, as recommended by their ophthalmologist. The various procedures, however, can slow the rate of vision loss and hopefully preserve some sight I too suffer from macular degeneration. I also have a condition called PVD. At the age of 40 I have deterioration expected in a 70 year old. A number of things can affect your eyes and you can take steps to prevent further degeneration:
1. If you eat a lot of Chinese takeaways (in particular) stop. All that monosodium glutamate is a proven factor in poor eyesight. Avoid seasonings with MSG too.
2. Ensure you eat enough vegetables with properties that help eyesight - carrots primarily but also green vegetables and eat plenty of Vitamin C rich fruits too, such as kiwi, blueberries, blackcurrants, etc.
3. Always wear sunglasses with UV protection in sunshine and in snow
4. If you work with computers, try to remember to blink regularly and take regular breaks - 15 minutes every hour. If you play a lot of games on your PC, this is even more important.
5. Get regular eye tests and ensure your prescription glasses are checked regularly to avoid eye strain.
6. If you notice an increase in 'floaters' in your field of vision, go to the eye clinic at your local hospital (or wherever your macular degeneration was diagnosed) and get a proper eye scan.
7. Last but not least! If you smoke, STOP! Smoking inhibits the circulation of oxygen in the eye and can lead to blindness later in life (AMD).
Good luck! It would help if you told us what form of MD you have. My son has Stargardts and his vision is rapidly deteriorating. He's currently enrolled in the blind school. Not knowing your age or loss it's hard offer much advice. I know lutein and Vitamin A supplements can help delay the rate of deterioration and never go outside without sunglasses on as bright light speeds up the deterioration process.
The Foundation Fighting Blindness is a wonderful organization that can offer you a wealth of advice as well as support. They have an on line website as well as a free mailing list. I have a medical study, with some qualitative research, that I can send you. Send request to: uasc_andy @ yahoo |
