Macular Degeneraton | Symptoms | Causes | Diagnosis | Treatment

Overview

Macular degeneration is a disease that affects the retina. The retina is the layer at the back of the eye which helps us to see the world around us. Macular degeneration causes changes in central vision. Images that were once clear may appear blurred, Later dark spots may appear and enlarged, straight lines may become distorted or curved, colors may appear less vivid or darker. The eyes work together when one eye loses vision it may not be noticed because the other eye is still able to see each eye must be tested on its own to identify changes in vision.

Symptoms

The symptoms of macular degeneration may be found in other eye conditions. It is very important for an ophthalmologist to perform an examination to ensure that no, other conditions are present.

 Dry macular degeneration affects the health of the retina. The retina is the lining of the eye that responds to light. Here a cross-section of the retina can be seen in the dry form of macular degeneration. Metabolic end products collect underneath the retina. These deposits are called drusen, over time dry macular degeneration can lead to scarring or thinning of the retina above.

1. Visual distortions, such as straight lines seeming bent
2. Reduced central vision in one or both eyes
3. The need for brighter light when reading or doing close-up work
4. Increased difficulty adapting to low light levels, such as when entering a dimly lit restaurant
5. Increased blurriness of printed words
6. Decreased intensity or brightness of colors
7. Difficulty recognizing faces
8. A well-defined blurry spot or a blind spot in your field of vision

Causes

Dry macular degeneration may cause gradual central vision loss over time. Every patient has a different course and some patients preserve vision for a very long time. 

Diagnosis

Your ophthalmologist will monitor your eyes ask about how stopping smoking or vitamin formulations can help to slow the progression of dry macular degeneration. Wet macular degeneration may develop in patients with the dry form of macular degeneration, in the wet form blood vessels that are leaky and abnormal begin to grow into the retina. Unlike normal blood vessels in the rest of the body, those seen in wet macular degeneration cause swelling or bleeding into the retina. Wet macular degeneration may cause either sudden or gradual loss of vision. As these vessels leak fluid or bleed. If untreated vision loss can progress. 

The retina which lines the back wall of the eye is responsible for sight. In dry macular degeneration, deposits collect underneath the retina. In wet macular degeneration, abnormal blood vessels begin to sprout a molecule known as a vascular endothelial growth factor or veg F is released in wet macular degeneration. Veg F binds to its receptors much like a key entering a lock. Veg F is a signal which causes leaky blood vessels to form underneath the retina. As these abnormal blood vessels leak and bleed the retina becomes swollen and vision may decline.

Treatment

The main treatment for wet macular degeneration is an injection of medication into the eye. This medication is delivered close to the retina after freezing and cleaning the eye. And most patients experience only minimal discomfort. These medications work by binding to the vag F that is released much like a sponge. As a result, the veg F cannot bind to its receptors. These injections slow or stop the growth of abnormal vessels. As with any medical procedure injections of anti-veg F may help to preserve or slow the risk of vision loss from wet macular degeneration. Injections carry risks each time they are performed. They last only a certain time and repeated injections may be necessary to preserve vision talk to your ophthalmologist about the benefits and risks of anti veg F medication to learn more

 Written by Barsha Panth