What is Macular Degeneration , Symptoms & Steps to Prevention

Australian Gov has named May as the Macular Month. Accordingly, this is part of the awareness campaign run by the Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) for macular degeneration. Furthermore, as a medical supplies consumables supplier, QUOVO prides itself on keeping up to date with the latest knowledge related to healthcare. Moreover, it is important to be aware of diseases that are prevalent in our society. 

Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Australia. Similarly, This disease covers a range of painless conditions affecting the central retina (the macula), which is at the rear portion of the eye. This condition slowly destroys sharp, central vision. Moreover, This makes it difficult to see fine details and read. Furthermore, This condition is also known as Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as it may get worse over time. however, It is viewed as the leading cause of severe, permanent vision loss in people over the age of 50. 

The below picture shows how vision gets affected over time by a person who suffers from Macular Degeneration.

Types of Macular Degeneration

There are three types of AMD:  

1. Dry macular degeneration  
2. Wet macular degeneration  
3. Stargardt macular degeneration  

1. Dry macular degeneration is a common eye disorder among people over 50. Furthermore, It causes blurred or reduced central vision, due to thinning of the macula, which is the part of the retina. The retina is responsible for clear vision in your direct line of sight. 

2. Wet macular degeneration is a chronic eye disorder that causes blurred vision or a blind spot in your visual field. This is generally caused by abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid or blood into the macula. 

3. Stargardt macular disease is a rare genetic eye disease that happens when fatty material builds up on the macula. Vision loss usually starts in childhood, but some people with Stargardt disease don’t start to lose their vision until they are adults. There’s no treatment for Stargardt disease. However, vision rehabilitation can help people make the most of their remaining vision. 

 

What are the Symptoms

Dry & Wet AMD symptoms usually develop gradually and without pain. They may include: 

• Visual distortions, such as straight lines seeming bent 
• The need for brighter light when reading or doing close-up work 
• Decreased intensity or brightness of colors 
• Difficulty recognizing faces 

• A well-defined blurry spot or a blind spot in your field of vision 
• Reduced central vision in one or both eyes 
• Increased difficulty adapting to low light levels, such as when entering a dimly lit restaurant 
• Increased blurriness of printed words 

Stargardt AMD symptoms include a slow loss of central vision in both eyes. Some people lose their central vision more quickly than others. 

Other symptoms may include: 

• Gray, black, or hazy spots in the center of your vision 
• Sensitivity to light 
• Need more time for your eyes to adjust between light and dark places 
• Colour blindness 

Some people with Stargardt disease may also lose their peripheral vision. 

 

To confirm a diagnosis of AMD your doctor will review your medical and family history, as well as conduct a complete eye examination which includes the following tests: 

• Examination of the back of your eye

• Test for defects in the center of your vision.

• Fluorescein angiography.

• Indocyanine green angiography

• Optical coherence tomography.

• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography.

• Amsler Grid

 

Causes of Macular Degeneration 

• Most common in people over 60. 
• Family history and genetics. This disease has a hereditary component. Researchers have identified several genes that are related to developing the condition. 

• Race. More common in Caucasians. 
• Smoking. Smoking cigarettes or being regularly exposed to smoke significantly increases your risk of macular degeneration. 
• Obesity. Research indicates that being obese may increase your chance that early or intermediate macular degeneration will progress to the more severe form of the disease. 
• Cardiovascular disease. If you have had diseases that affected your heart and blood vessels, you may be at higher risk of macular degeneration.

 

Prevention 

You must regularly examine your eyes with your doctor as a routine which will help you to identify early signs of AMD.  

• Manage your other medical conditions. For example, if you have cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure, take your medication and follow your doctor’s instructions for controlling the condition. 
• Don’t smoke. Smokers are more likely to develop macular degeneration than non-smokers. 
• Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. If you need to lose weight, reduce the number of calories you eat and increase the amount of exercise you get each day. 
• Choose a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Choose a healthy diet that’s full of a variety of fruits and vegetables. These foods contain antioxidant vitamins that reduce your risk of developing macular degeneration. 
• Include fish in your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish, may reduce the risk of AMD. Nuts, such as walnuts, also contain omega-3 fatty acids.