Are you at Risk for Age Related Macular Degeneration?

What is Macular Degeneration?
As the eye looks straight ahead, the macula is the point of the retina upon which the light rays meet as they are focused by the cornea and the lens of the eye. Similar to the film in a camera, the retina receives the images that come through the "cameralike" lens. If the macula is damaged, the central part of the images are blocked as if a blurred area hed been placed in the center of the picture. The images around the blurred area may be clearly visible.
Macular degeneration is damage or breakdown of the macula. The eye still sees objects to the side, since side, or "peripheral," vision is usually not affected. For this reason, macular degeneration aloes work difficult or impossible without the use of special low vision optical aids.
The retina is the delicate layer of the tissue that lines the inside wall of the back of the eye. The macula is a very small area in the center of the retina. In size, the macula is about the same as a capital "o" in the type of this pamphlet. This small area is responsible for our central "straight ahead" sight used for reading and other fine tasks.
Although macular in older people, aging alone does not always result in central visual loss. Nevertheless, macular degeneration is theleading cause of impairment of reading and fine "close-up" vision in the united states.

Causes and symptoms
The most common form of macular degeneration is called involutional macular degeneration. Normally, the macula is protected by a thin tissue that separates it from very fine blood vessels nourishing the back of the eye. Sometimes these blood vessels break or leak and cause scar tissue to form. this often leads to the growth of new abnormal blood vessels in the scar tissue. These newly formed vessels are especially fragile. They rupture easily and may leak. Blood and leaking fluid destroy the macula and cause further scarring. Vision becomes distorted and blurred, and dense scar tissue blocks out central vision to a severe degree.
Other types of macular degeneration are inherited, may occur in juveniles [juvenile macular degeneration], and are not associated with the aging process. Occasionally, injury, inflammation may also damage the delicate tissue of the macula.
If only one eye is affected, macular degeneration is hardly noticeable in the beginning stages, particularly when the other eye is normal. This condition often involves one eye at a time, so it may be some time before a patient visual problems.
Macular degeneration can cause different symptoms in different people. Sometimes only one eye loses vision while the other eye continues to see well for many years., if both eyes are affected, however, reading and close-up work may become extremely difficult. Macular degeneration alone does not cause total blindness. Since side vision is usually unaffected, most people can take care of themselves quite will.

Color vision may become dim and these other visual symptoms can develop due to macular degeneration:
Detection and diagnosis
Many patients do not realize they have a macular problem until blurred vision becomes obvious. Your ophthalmologist can detect macular degeneration in the early stages. The ophthalmologist examines the macula carefully by viewing it with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope to see if damage is present.
The examination will usually include a few more tests: A grid test, which the patient looks at a test page [similar to graph paper ], will be used to check for the extent of sight loss sport.
A color vision test will show whether a patient can tell color differences, and additional tests will help to discover conditions that may be causing the macula to deteriorate
Sometimes a fluorescein angiogram is done. The ophthalmologist injects a dye into the patient's arm, and then takes photos of the retina and macula. The dye helps to clarify any blood vessel abnormality that might be present.
Macular degeneration can be detected and diagnosed early by an ophthalmologist if periodic eye examinations are part of health care. Early detection is important since people may not realize their vision is impaired. Having your eyes checked is especially appropriate if other family members have a history of retinal problems. For patients with macular degeneration, early diagnosis by an ophthalmologist may prevent further damage or aid the individual in making a visual adjustment with low vision aids.

Medical and surgical treatment
There is no cure for most common involutional from of macular degeneration. However, ophthalmologic laser surgery has been used to retard the very early stages of the condition. In this treatment, a focused intense beam of light is used to seal off leaking membranes and destroy new blood vessels. This reduces further los of vision from progressive scarring of the macula and the surrounding retina.

Who can treat macular degeneration?
An ophthalmologist is the medical doctor, [md or osteopath] who is educated, trained, and licensed to provide total care of the eyes including the diagnosis and treatment of macular degeneration. Total eye care includes performing comprehensive medical eye examinations, prescribing corrective lenses, diagnosing diseases and disorders of the eye, and using the appropriate for their treatment. Only an ophthalmologist can provide total eye care.

Optical aids and lighting
Low vision optical aids often improve
Vision for people with magnifying devices are available. Spectacles, hand or stand magnifiers, telescopes, and closed circuit television for viewing objects are some of the available resources. Aids are either prescribed by your ophthalmologist or by referral to a low vision specialist or center. Bright illumination properly directed for reading and close work are often beneficial. Special lamps can also be helpful. Books, newspapers, and other items available in large print offer further help.
A patient with macular degeneration can be helped. Fortunately, visual aids are available to assist many patients in leading a comfortable and relatively normal life. With these devices and proper motivation, people with visual loss can often read, do modified close-up work, and continue to take care of themselves.
If you are over age,50, or if your family has a history of retinal problems, you should have your eyes checked periodically for signa of eye problems degeneration. Early detection and subsequent treatment, if indicated, may help prevent additional visual loss.
If you have additional questions or would like any further information, contact your ophthalmologist.