Prevention of Age-related Macular Degeneration (Macular Degeneration)

Some of the risk factors of Macular Degeneration are modifiable and therefore may prevent Macular Degeneration: people can stop smoking cigarettes, improve their diet and rebuild their macular pigment by taking an appropriate macular supplement. Only a comprehensive Macular Degeneration assessment can determine if you are at risk. learn more… Prevention Assessment

 

Early Detection of Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration is a treatable disease. Early and frequent monitoring of patients with Macular Degeneration can detect the disease even before symptoms appear, allowing for early treatment that will save vision. Learn more… Early Detection Assessment


What is Macular Degeneration?

Age related Macular degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in people over 50 years of age, affecting over 10 million people in the United States. This eye disease is particularly frustrating because it results in a loss of central vision and you are therefore unable to read, watch TV, and recognize faces or drive. Unfortunately, by the time some people are diagnosed, the disease may have been developing for over 20 years. Prevention and/or early detection are your best way to preserve you precious eyesight.

Macular Degeneration almost always develops in both eyes, although one eye may be much more severely affected than the other. The rate at which the disease develops usually depends on which of the two types of Macular Degeneration you have—the more common “dry” Macular Degeneration or the more severe “wet” Macular Degeneration.


Dry Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration begins in its dry form, from which most people with Macular Degeneration suffer. Dry Macular Degeneration progresses slowly and does not generally result in severe loss of vision. Many patients notice nothing and will just add more light for reading. Dry Macular Degeneration usually starts in one eye, and occurs later in the second eye.

Because progression is painless and gradual, many people consider the slight damage of central vision to be a normal part of aging. But there is nothing normal about dry Macular Degeneration-particularly if it progresses to the more severe wet Macular Degeneration.


Wet Macular Degeneration

15-20 percent of people with intermediate-stage dry Macular Degeneration progress to the wet form of the disease. At this stage, tiny blood vessels beneath the retina grow out of control, which can cause blood and fluid to leak under the retina. The resulting damage can be devastation, leading to rapid, severe and permanent central vision loss-that is, unless it is detected early and treated immediately. Learn more early detection of Macular Degeneration


 

Early Prevention and Early Detection Assessment for Macular Degeneration

Risk Assessment- your risk for Macular Degeneration can be evaluated with your risk factors.

Visual Field Test- central vision is evaluated with the use the PHP. PHP visual field detects early changes in the central area of your vision.

Macular Pigment Evaluation- The Macuscope will measure the three macular pigments that is unique to the macular area. This test is for prevention and early detection.

Dilated Retinal Evaluation-Eyes are dilated to get a more thorough view of the macular area.

Visual Acuity/Function- to read an eye chart to assess your eyesight.

Color vision – Anomaloscope is used to asses your color perception .

 

Low Vision Devices

For those who have vision loss from macular degeneration, many low vision devices are available to help with mobility and specific visual tasks.

Nutrition for Macular Degeneration

Many researchers and eye care practitioners believe that certain nutrients — zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamins A, C and E — help lower the risk for Macular Degeneration or slow down the progression of dry macular degeneration. Benefits of high levels of antioxidants and zinc for halting or slowing development of macular degeneration have been widely reported based on results released in 2001 from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) conducted by the National Eye Institute.

For those who have vision loss from macular degeneration, many low vision devices are available to help with mobility and specific visual tasks.


How Macular Degeneration Is Treated?

There is as yet no outright cure for age-related macular degeneration, but some treatments may delay its progression or even improve vision.

Treatments for macular degeneration depends on whether the disease is in its early-stage, dry form or in the more advanced, wet form that can lead to serious vision loss. No FDA-approved treatments exist yet for dry macular degeneration, although nutritional intervention may help prevent its progression to the wet form.
 

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