Will macular degeneration spread to offspring?

by Lakshmi Sowmya
(India,Hyderabad)

Hi,firstly i would like to appreciate and thank you for the wonderful site.

This is Sowmya, i am 23 yrs old, I am suffering from macular degeneration. I have done my MBA and i am able to carry out my routine successfully, but my major question is that will it spread to my children?????

My parents are looking out for a match for me but before getting married i would like to get this clarified.

Awaiting response
Sowmya

Answer
Sowmya,

You are too young for age related macular degeneration. I am assuming you have a type of
juvenile macular degeneration or macular dystrophy such as Stargardt's Disease
or best disease.

Can you tell us more about your diagnosis? Thanks.

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Genetic Testing for Macular Degeneration

Why are physicians not testing for genetic markers if macular degeneration is partly heriditary?

REPLY

There are several factors involved in testing genes for any kind of disease - whether it is for macular degeneration or breast cancer. Often before someone has genetic testing they meet with a genetic counselor to discuss the benefits and disadvantages of the test results.

Certainly this is something you can discuss this with your ophthalmologist.

A new genetic test for macular degeneration is available for those at high risk for developing age related macular degeneration. Find out if you should be tested, what is involved and what this test will tell you.

Macular Degeneration Test

Kind Regards,

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Macular Degeneration - Is it hereditary & will taking supplements prevent macular degeneration

by Lynn
(Endwell, NY)

I am a 60 yr. old female whose 89 yr. old mother has macular degeneration for which she is currently receiving Avastin injections in one eye.

Is macular degeneration hereditary? Would it benefit me NOW to take supplements such as Lutein, Ocuvite or Preservision? Thank You!

REPLY

Hi Lynn,

According to Dr. James C. Folk, author of Protect Your Sight: How to Save Your Vision in the Epidemic of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
, "Studies have shown that the risk of AMD is much higher for people whose family members have the disease than for people who have no family history of AMD."

You are in the same situation that my husband is in. His 85 year old father has wet macular degeneration. It becomes more imperative that one pays attention not just to supplements but also to a diet that is anti-inflammatory.

According to Johanna M. Seddon, M.D., director of the Epidemiology Unit at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and an associate professor of ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, and investigator,

“We ... found that increased intake of fish reduced the risk of macular degeneration (AMD) , particularly if they ate two more servings per week."

To learn more about the role of diet and supplements for age related macular degeneration click here

Macular Degeneration Vitamins, Diet and Nutrition

Kind Regards,

Leslie

Macular Degeneration, Heredity and Eye Color

by Ronnie
(NJ, USA)

Please excuse me if this is a somewhat of a stupid question. My Mother and her brother both have AMD (each has one dry eye, one wet eye).

My Father passed away at age 74 and did not have AMD. My Mother has brown eyes and my father had hazel eyes.

Would the fact that I inherited my father's hazel eyes mean that I may have less chance of inheriting AMD than I would have had I inherited my Mother's brown eyes? I thank you for your assistance.

Reply

Hi Ronnie,

You have actually asked a very good and relevant question. There is indeed a correlation between eye color and the risk of developing age related macular degeneration.

Those with blue eyes or light colored eyes are at a higher risk of AMD. The light colored eyes have less melanin than brown eyes which protects the retina from UV light.

For more information on macular degeneration risk factors go to:

risk of developing macular degenerative disease

Kind Regards,
Leslie Degner, RN,BSN