Eye Diseases

Macular Degeneration

Definition

Macular degeneration affects the retina, specifically the region of the macula. As the macula is the part of the retina which allows us to have good central vision, a patient with macular degeneration will have reduced vision.

There are two distinctive forms of this disease.

Dry macular degeneration:

This form of the illness is not treatable. It can only be prevented by taking precautions, such as quitting smoking, wearing sunglasses, and taking certain vitamins to prevent macular degeneration.

Wet macular degeneration:

After a few years, dry macular degeneration can become wet. This happens when new blood vessels appear in the choroid. Seeing as these vessels are fragile, there may be blood leaks that can cause a hemorrhage. Unlike the dry form of the disease, wet macular degeneration can be treated in order to preserve maximum vision.

You should know that Bellevue clinics have all the latest technologies available to diagnose and monitor macular degeneration cases.

Macular Degeneration

Symptoms

Decreased vision

Distorted images

Blurry vision

Perception of a stain in central vision

Treatments

Vitamins

Intravitreal injections

Risk Factors

Age (usually begins at 50 years old)

Tobacco

Heredity

High blood pressure

Food diet

Overexposure to the sun

Sex (studies have shown that women are more affected by this disease)