Questions & Answers about Macular Degeneration

November 19, 2011 | Category: ophthalmology tips

What Is Macular Degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss in Americans over the age of 60. It is estimated that 10 million Americans will experience this age-related visual impairment during their retirement years.

Macular degeneration is a disorder of the retina, the light-sensitive inner lining of the back of the eye. The macula is a small, central portion of the retina which is necessary for sharp, “straight ahead” vision needed for reading, driving a car or recognizing faces.

There are a number of abnormalities associated with the term “age-related macular degeneration.” They range FROM mild changes with no decrease in vision to abnormalities severe enough to result in the loss of all “straight ahead” vision. Macular degeneration does not cause total blindness because the remaining and undamaged parts of the retina around the macula continue to provide “side” vision.

There are two main types of macular degeneration, “dry” and “wet,” which are discussed in the next section.

Macular Degeneration

Signs and Symptoms
Aging causes the cells in the retina to become less efficient. Ultimately, deposits called drusen appear under the retina and can be seen during an eye examination and on photographs of the retina. A few small drusen may cause no decrease in vision. However, if many large drusen develop, vision may be decreased. Vision may be affected when there are pigment disturbances in the layer of cells called the retinal pigment epithelium. These two types of changes in the macula are known as “dry” macular degeneration, which is the most common form. Currently, there is no known treatment for dry AMD.

A few people experience the “wet” form of macular degeneration which can cause more severe visual loss. In this situation, abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and result in bleeding and leakage of fluid. Vision may suddenly become distorted or blurred. In some cases of wet macular degeneration, laser treatment can be effective at destroying the abnormal vessels, thus preventing or slowing further visual loss. Wet macular degeneration cannot always be treated successfully by laser, however, some experimental drugs and surgical procedures are being tested.

FAMILY GENETIC STUDY OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
The Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA with the generous support of the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health, need volunteers for a research study INTO the causes of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

There is evidence that AMD runs in families. However, the exact nature of this familial tendency has not been clarified. The goal of this study is to determine whether there is an underlying gene or genes that predispose people to develop AMD. These genes will also be identified.

In this new project, researchers hope to discover how to identify people at risk of developing AMD and to explore new ways of preventing the disorder. Families are needed to participate in this study.

Participants can be seen by an ophthalmologist near their home and do not need to travel to Boston.

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  1. Age-related Macular Degeneration | Centro Visual GyG
    on January 12th, 2012
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    [...] To learn more macular degeneration read our Questions & Answers about Macular Degeneration. [...]

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