| Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration is damage or breakdown
of the macula. The macula is a small area at the back of the
eye that allows us to see fine details clearly. When the macula
doesn't function correctly, we experience blurrines or darkness
in the center of our vision. Macular degeneration affects
both distance and close vision, and can make some activities
- like threading a needle or reading - difficult or impossible.
Although macular degeneration reduces
vision in the central part of the retina, it does not affect
the eye's side, or peripheral, vision. For example, you could
see the outline of a clock but not be able to tell what time
it is.
Macular degeneration alone does not result in a total blindness. People continue to have normal peripheral vision and are able to take care of themselves. It is only the central vision that is damaged.
What causes macular degeneration?
Many older people develop macular degeneration
as part of the body's natural aging process. The two most
common types of age-related macular degeneration are "wet"
(exudative) and "dry" (atrophic).
What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration can cause different
symptoms in different people. The condition may be hardly
noticeable in its early stages. Sometimes only one eye loses
vision while the other eye continues to see well for many
years. But when both eyes are affected, the loss of central
vision may be noticed more quickly.
How is macular degeneration diagnosed?
Many people do not realize they have
a macular problem until blurred vision becomes obvious. Your
ophthalmologist (medical eye doctor) can detect early stages
of macular degeneration during a medical eye examination that
includes the following:
-
Viewing the macula with and ophthalmoscope
-
A simple vision test in which you
look at a grid resembling graph paper (Amsler Grid). To
use the Grid, cover one eye and look at the black dot in
the center either with thru your glasses, or through your
bifocals. Now without moving your eye all the lines
of the grid should look straight and true. If
this is not so, (the lines are bent or boxes are missing)
contact your eye care professional immediately!!!
-
Sometimes special photographs, called
angiograms, are taken to find abnormal blood vessels under
the retina. Fluorescent dye is injected into your arm
and your eye is photographed as the dye passes through
the blood vessels in the back of the eye.
How is macular degeneration treated?
Despite ongoing medical research, there
is no cure yet for "dry" macular degeneration. Some
doctors believe that nutritional supplements may slow macular
degeneration. Treatment of this condition focuses on helping
a person find ways to cope with visual impairment.
In its early stages, "wet"
macular degeneration can sometimes be treated with laser surgery,
a brief and usually painless outpatient procedure. Laser surgery
uses a highly focused beam of light to seal the leaking blood
vessels that damage the macula. Although a small, permanently
dark "blind spot" is left at the point of laser
contact, the procedure can preserve more sight overall.
We also offer the newest treatment in
Macular degeneration,
Avastin.
Avastin is a potent immune modulator which causes
regression of new blood vessel growth and shows great promise in
treating the most difficult cases of Macular Degeneration.
Despite advanced medical treatment, many
people with macular degeneration still experience some vision
loss. Your ophthalmologist can prescribe optical devices or
refer you to a low-vision specialist. A wide range of support
services and rehabilitation programs are also available to
help people with macular degeneration maintain a satisfying
lifestyle.
Because side vision is usually not affected,
a person's remaining sight can be very useful. Often, people
can continue with many of their favorite activities by using
low-vision optical devices such as magnifying devices, closed-circuit
television, large-print reading materials and talking or computerized
devices.
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