Definition of Macular Degeneration
Age Related Macular DegenerationAge related macular degeneration is the number one cause of legal blindness in the elderly population. You can learn all about the different types of macular degenerative diseases here. Find out the causes, how to prevent it and how to recognize the symptoms.
What is Macular Degeneration?Macular degeneration is a silent and painless loss of central vision due to the degeneration or dying of cells in the retina, called the macula.It is important to realize that the definition of macular degeneration is the loss of central vision or straight ahead vision - what you see right in front of you like the face of a person or the words in a book. Peripheral or side vision is still there. The definition of macular degeneration is NOT blindness, but rather low vision. When a person is first diagnosed with macular degeneration, there is a lot of new things to learn about the disease, nutrition, supplements, and adapting and adjusting to this progressive loss of central vision.
Macula Lutea
The eye is an amazing miracle with over 500 kinds of cells.
That is where the word "macula" comes in.
The macula is the center of the retina, which lines the inside of the eyeball. Cone cells are the primary cells in the macula and are responsible for sharp images, acute vision, color perception and central vision. They help us distinguish the difference between navy blue and black and help us see the detailed features of a face or read the words in the newspaper. In macular degeneration the cone cells and the rod cells begin to die. As a result there are less cells to transmit visual signals to the brain.
Cause of Macular DegenerationThe cause of macular degeneration involves the three layers of tissue that lie beneath the retina. They are:√ Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) These three layers are responsible for the feeding of oxygen and nutrients to the rods and cones and the removal of built up waste. However, as we look at the cause of macular degeneration, these layers are no longer doing their job well. These layers are responsible for the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the macula as well as the removal of waste products. In age related macular degeneration nutrients and oxygen are unable to get to and nourish the cells and waste is not removed and builds up. The
macular pigment
is a concentration of antioxidants or carotenoids that are found in the
fovea
(the center of the macula) and protect the eye from the damaging effects of blue light and
free radicals.
Macular Degeneration PreventionMacular degeneration prevention needs to be considered by everyone who is aging - and isn't that all of us?There is a better possibility to prevent AMD than there is to reverse macular degeneration. Don't wait until you have macular degeneration symptoms before you take an interest in your eye health. My husband's father has wet macular degeneration as did all of his father's siblings. Because my husband is at a higher risk for this retinal disease, we have become more vigilant in taking steps to prevent it. Learn what steps we are taking to reduce our risk of macular degeneration.
Macular Degeneration Prevention
Macular Degeneration TestThere is no one macular degeneration test, but rather several ways that your eye care professional can determine if you have or are at risk for developing macular degeneration.A macular degeneration eye exam includes several different tests. To learn more about these eye exams click here:
Macular Degeneration SymptomsThe first symptom of macular degeneration may actually be found by your ophthalmologist when he examines your retina. He may find drusen , which are small, yellow deposits in your eye. Other symptoms a patient may experience are:1) Blurred vision 2) Loss of color perception 3) Loss of detailed or sharp vision 3) Difficulty seeing at night
To read more about macular degeneration symptoms click here:
Macular Degeneration Symptoms
Macular Degeneration TypesAs you seek information about the definition of macular degeneration it is important to know that there are three main types of macular degeneration.1. Dry Macular DegenerationDry macular degeneration is the most common form of age related macular degeneration (ARMD). The vision loss is usually more gradual and not as severe. Click on this link for detailed information. Dry Macular Degeneration2. Wet Macular DegenerationFortunately, wet macular degeneration is not as common as dry AMD. However, it does cause a more sudden and a greater central vision loss. it is called "wet" because of the bleeding of new and fragile blood vessels in the choroid layer of the retina.Dry macular degeneration can turn into wet macular degeneration. To learn more click here: Wet Macular Degeneration 3. Juvenile Macular Degeneration
The definition of macular degeneration for juveniles is a bit different.
Juvenile macular degeneration
(JMD), more commonly known as macular dystrophy, are really several different genetic diseases. They are usually diagnosed during childhood or adolescence. To read more about JMD click here:
Juvenile Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration PictureA scotoma is an area of vision loss or diminished vision surrounded by relatively normal vision.To understand what a person sees who has advanced macular degeneration and has what is called a scotoma you can take a look at a macular degeneration picture that shows this central vision loss. Click here to see a picture. Macular Degeneration Picture Macular Degeneration PrognosisMacular degeneration prognosis is of course different for every body and ... different for each eye.For the majority of people age related macular degeneration (AMD)progresses slowly and affects only your central vision. It is not blindness.Which means that you still have peripheral or side vision The most important factor for your macular degeneration prognosis will be if you have dry macular degeneration or if you have wet macular degeneration. To read more click here:
Macular Degeneration Prognosis
Macular Degeneration StagesAge related macular degeneration is a progressive disease. the first stage of macular degeneration is early AMD which is found when drusen are detected during an eye exam.To learn about the other macular degeneration stages click here:
Macular Degeneration Stages
Contact Leslie Degner, RN, BSN
Would you like to be updated on the latest: 
√ Clinical Trials?√ Prevention of Macular Degeneration? √ Tips for Daily Living? √ Food Suggestions for a Macular Degeneration Diet? √ Ideas on Visual Aids to Maximize your Sight? If you said "yes" to any of the above, sign up for my monthly Macular Degeneration News.
|
