Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration, is a condition that affects the retina in the back of the eye. This serious condition is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 50 in the United States. There are several risk factors for macular degeneration, including age, gender, race, and smoking.
Risks for Macular Degeneration
Age is the most significant risk factor for macular degeneration, as people under the age of fifty are rarely affected by this disease. Women are more prone to the condition than men, and macular degeneration is more common among Caucasians. The most significant risk factor that can be altered is smoking. Smoking can cause a person to be over two times more likely to develop macular degeneration.
Signs of Macular Degeneration
In the early stages of the disease, macular degeneration may not have many noticeable signs or symptoms, and some individuals may even be asymptomatic. Early signs of macular degeneration may only be detectable during a comprehensive eye health exam by an eye doctor. These signs include changes in the retina that can be seen before they start affecting vision. Early symptoms may include gradual onset blurred vision, a noticeable blind spot near the middle of the vision, or distortion in central vision.
As macular degeneration progresses, the signs and symptoms become more visually devastating and apparent. The most notable symptom will be a large central blind spot that affects the ability to see anything beyond the peripheral vision in one or both eyes.
Cause of Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is caused by changes to the layers of the retina, which is located in the center of the eye and known as the macula. These changes lead to damage in the macular area, resulting in vision loss or other complications that can affect vision.
Types of Macular Degeneration
There are two categories of macular degeneration: dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration is more common and slightly less sight-threatening than wet macular degeneration. Wet macular degeneration is less common but is associated with a much higher risk of sight loss from the disease. Dry macular degeneration is usually characterized by a lack of new blood vessels growing into the macula, which is often present in wet macular degeneration.
Problems with Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration can lead to several other complications within the eyes, including retinal detachment, choroidal neovascular membrane, or scarring of the retina. These additional complications are often associated with long-standing, uncontrolled macular degeneration, but they may occur in any case of severe macular degeneration.
In the early stages of macular degeneration, the disease progresses slowly with few symptoms. Vitamin supplementation with AREDS vitamins is the usual treatment. These vitamins contain molecules like lutein and zeaxanthin which can reduce the progression of macular degeneration, but they do not cure the disease’s existing progression. If macular degeneration transforms into wet macular degeneration or develops severe symptoms, surgery may be necessary to preserve any remaining vision.
Diagnosing Macular Degeneration
Regular comprehensive eye exams are the key to early detection of macular degeneration to prevent poor outcomes. An annual eye exam by an eye doctor can help identify early signs of macular degeneration and begin preventative treatments. Anyone experiencing any symptoms or issues with their vision should promptly consult with an eye doctor to identify and manage potential conditions.
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