Macular Degeneration

Focus On: Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration can rapidly deteriorate even the most immaculate vision. While diabetic complications are the primary cause of blindness in all age groups, macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness for people over 50. For the elderly who don’t engage in preventative surgery to weed out the cellular clots that causes the condition, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) caught early can be irreversible.

What is a “macular”, anyway? And why do they decide to deteriorate? The macula is the central disc of the retina, responsible for the sharp focus required to read or view close-up. It can be impacted in one or two ways: wet or dry. Regardless of whether you remember to get regular checks and regardless of the climate inside of your eyeballs, wet or dry macular degeneration can cripplingly cause near-total vision loss.

“Dry” Macular Degeneration: an Atrophied Retina Layer

Though its “dry” connotation might downplay this form of macular degeneration as more contained, it actually is much more difficult to treat. Unlike wet macular degeneration, it progresses very slowly. Potentially, nutritional supplements can work to prevent dry macular degeneration from progressing to its more pronounced “wet” state.

Dry macular degeneration can be diagnosed by an optometrist who detects the appearance of yellow pigments (drusen)between the retina layer and the choroid (the faucet of blood flow to the retina). Drusen are excess cellular buildup which can harden as one ages—they are essentially hard candy corns in between your retina and its blood flow outlet. If you have a genetic predisposition to macular degeneration, you can take a (as yet FDA unapproved) preventative measure by taking supplements which contain Vitamins C, E, A, zinc, copper, and beta carotene—regularly ingesting such supplements has shown to delay early onset macular degeneration up to 25%. Another necessity is to religiously stow sunglasses with UV protection. My own grandmother suffers from macular degeneration, and requires a daily nurse and assistant to help her sort mail, make food, etc. For her, macular degeneration is extremely isolating, as it prevents her from lifelong love of reading. Regrettably, she could have prevented her condition had she been wearing sunglasses during a sunny trip to Florida—her macular degeneration then progressed rapidly over the course of two months.

“Wet” Macular Degeneration: Excess Blood Vessel and Gel Drainage

The more progressed “wet” macular degeneration only affects 10-15% of those with the MD condition. In their case, new blood vessels in between the choroid (the blood outlet of the eye) and the eye’s retina. (the growth of excess blood vessels in the eye is similar to developed diabetic retinopathy, where blood vessels sprout in vitreous gel) This can cause a hemorrhage of vitreous eye gel or blood—the effect isn’t just goo and a few eye boogers—hemmorhage causes permanent damage to the retinal cells which process light. Unattended hemorrhages and retinal damage can result in permanent blind spots. Even worse case scenario: scar tissue build-up behind the retina can push drive a wedge between the retina and the choroid—causing retinal detachment and exponentially worse visual impairment.

The hemorrhage can stop before it starts in wet macular degeneration! Laser techniques can target and rid you of those excess blood vessels non-invasively, just as easily as they can rid you of varicose veins! Additionally, the cost of such treatments, usually performed with argon lasers, are inexpensive compared to more invasive procedures.

Macular Degeneration Prevention Is the Key

Macular degeneration can be a devastating health burden to the elderly. Devoid of sharp sight, they are also robbed of their independence, ability to read and watch movies, even operate a phone without assistance. Solutions seem far-fetched to those out of the know—oblivious families may fear that those afflicted are too old and weak to go through with it even the most non-invasive procedures. Therefore, prevention is key: if you know that macular degeneration runs in your gene-pool, always wear sunglasses during prolonged outdoor periods, eat supplements rich in vitamins C, E, A, beta carotene and zinc, and make sure to visit your optometrist frequently to check up on any irregular sunspots, yellowing, etc. that appear in your line of sight. Call the number listed on this screen or click on the contact form to rapidly discover how you can find a fitting macular degeneration solution today!