Juvenile Macular Degeneration
Other names you may hear for this type of retinal disease are macular dystrophy, Stargardts, or vitelliform macular dystrophy. Although there are several types of macular dystrophy, they all have one thing in common and that is they all affect the macula - a tiny spot in the middle of the retina that helps us to see clearly and to see straight ahead.
While degeneration is a term used more often for the age related macular degeneration that affects older people, this type of central vision loss is correctly called macular dystrophy or early-onset macular degeneration. The macula is located in the back of the eye. It is responsible for our detailed and straight ahead vision - the vision that is needed for seeing faces, driving and reading. Peripheral or side vision is usually not affected. It is not blindness. Usually some type of vision changes like straight lines appear wavy or bent will be reported by a younger person to their eye doctor. But some of these forms of macular dystrophy can be first diagnosed by an eye doctor during a routine eye exam when seeing changes in the retina.
Best DiseaseThere are several forms of juvenile macular degeneration - all of them affect the macula, the tiny spot in the back of the retina and all are associated with a genetic mutation. Best Disease is also known as vitelliform macular dystrophy. This disease is hereditary and is passed on by a gene. The diagnosis is usually made during childhood or adolescence. There are several stages to this macualr dystrophy. 1) A yellow cyst forms under the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) which is a layer under the macula - vision often remains normal for many years 2) The cyst ruptures and the fluid and yellow deposits flood the RPE 3) Fluid and deposits cause a degeneration of the RPE and the macula causing central vision loss The patient still has peripheral vision.Find out more about the symptoms of stages of this type of macular dystrophy: Best Disease Vitelliform Macular DystrophyVitelliform macular dystrophy is a congenital retinal disease - meaning that a person has an abnormal gene at birth that has been inherited from the parents. However, when people inherit abnormal genes, the expression of these genes can vary greatly from person to person. When they are expressed and how they are expressed will be different for each person.Some may see the expression of this defective gene earlier than another person. Find out more about this younger version of macular degeneration here: Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy Stargardt's Disease
This is the most common form of juvenile macular degeneration. It was first discovered in 1901 by a German ophthalmologist, Karl Stargardt. This genetic form of macular dystrophy is the result of both parents carrying the recessive gene - which means they do not know that they are carriers. The responsible gene, ABCR, has recently been identified which will be useful for future gene therapy. Click here to read more about Stargardt's disease:
Stargardt's Disease
Juvenile Macular Degeneration Treatment
At this time there is no traditional medical treatment. Laser surgery does not seem to be an effective treatment as it is for age related macular degeneration. However, according to Dr. Mark Grossman, "Certain nutritional supplementation along with microcurrent stimulation may slow the progression of Stargardt's and Best Disease or prevent further vision loss." Dr. Grossman is a Doctor of Optometry and New York State Licensed Acupuncturist is and co-authored: * International best seller Magic Eye Beyond 3D: Improve Your Vision, published by Andrews and McNeil in 1996, * Natural Eye Care - An Encyclopedia published by McGraw Hill in April, 1999, * Greater Vision - A Comprehensive Program for Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Clarity published by McGraw Hill, 2001, and * Natural Eye Care - A Comprehensive Manual for Practitioners of Oriental Medicine, published by Vision Works, Inc. 2002. He provides free consults on the phone or through e-mail. If you want to read more about his work click here: Vision Health Treatment Options & Nutrient Recommendations Clinical Trials for Macular Dystrophy
Unfortunately, there are few clinical trials for the different forms of juvenile macular degeneration. At this time (January 2012) there are four that are actively recruiting. It is important to know what form of macular dystrophy you have in order to search for a clinical trial.If you do not know your diagnosis, be sure to see a retina specialist who can help you with that information as well as how this type of macular disease progresses and affects future generations. Go to
Stargardts
page to check out some current research. Visual Aids for Macular Degeneration
There are many ways to help children and young adults live active and productive lives through various visual aids like large print books, electronic book readers, large button cell phones,special glasses, page magnifiers, and computer programs. Find out about what vision aids are available here:
Visual Aids
Low Vision SpecialistLow vision rehabilitation specialists can help identify and prescribe the best glasses, magnifiers, computer programs and aids to help children or young adults with juvenile macular degeneration.They can teach them tricks and tools to use their peripheral vision and other senses like hearing and touch. Find out more how they can help you or your child grow to become independent by clicking here. Low Vision
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