Macular degeneration is a VERY serious eye disease that needs to be handled by an experienced ophthalmologist. Macular degeneration or (AMD) is caused by the deterioration of the central portion of the retina. The retina is essentially on the back part of the eye and is image processing center that is responsible for transmitting images to the brain.
The images are sent through the optic nerve from the eye to the brain. The retina's central portion, known as the macula, is responsible for focusing central vision in the eye, and it controls our ability to read, work on computers, play athletics, or simply recognize familiar people. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness affecting more Americans than cataracts and glaucoma combined.
Do I have Macular Degeneration?
Macular Degeneration can only be diagnosed and discovered by exam.
Macular degeneration affects cells in the macula, which is the part of the retina responsible for central vision. Central vision is essential for most basic tasks like reading, driving, recognizing people, etc. Thus, although macular degeneration leaves peripheral vision un-impaired, it can be quite debilitating in its advanced state.
The disease exists in two forms, dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration is by far the most common (roughly 90% of all cases). However, it is the milder of the two forms, develops gradually, and usually leads to only minor vision loss. Dry macular degeneration tends to occur when yellow fatty particles called drusen accumulate in the retina underneath the macula. This build-up results in thinning and drying-out of the macular cells.
Now there is hope for Dry AMD, taking antioxidant vitamins such as LIFEPAK NANO has been demonstrated to decrease the chance of progressing from the Dry to the Wet form. extensively . For this reason it is important to eat leafy green vegetables that contain lutein (e.g. spinach and collard greens) in addition to taking vitamin supplements. Your doctor will be able to recommend which vitamins to take and coordinate this with your primary care physician so you are taking the proper amounts of all the necessary supplemental vitamins and minerals.
Smoking increases the chance of blindness from ARMD by about 2 to 3 times compared to nonsmokers. Cessation of smoking is, therefore, probably even more important than taking supplemental nutrients. Smokers also should be aware that they should use a vitamin supplement without Betacarotene, as this is associated with a slightly higher risk of lung cancer in current and even former smokers.
The primary cause of macular degeneration remains unknown. Macular degeneration typically occurs more frequently in the aging population with patients over 60. Research has shown there are many other factors such as family history, smoking, hypertension, obesity, and/or a high cholesterol, high fat diet that may contribute towards the development of macular degeneration.
Macular degeneration symptoms may include:
- Shadows, blurriness, or holes in the center of vision
- Straight lines appear wavy
- Trouble seeing details both up close and at a distance
- Difficulty telling colors apart, especially ones close in hue
- Vision can be slow to come back after bright light exposure
Treatment for dry macular degeneration:
Fortunately, there are alternative treatments for the dry form of macular degeneration. Those at high risk should schedule a checkup with Dr. Bello at least once every one to two years, to catch the disease in its infancy. Also, it is known that dietary supplementation of antioxidants may help to slow its development.
There is also no cure for wet macular degeneration. There are, however, several treatments designed to combat the disease. Early detection is very important because once vision is lost there is no treatment to regain it.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of macular degeneration, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule a consultation. 773-775-9755
REDUCING RISKS
STOP SMOKING
Smoking increases the risk of getting AMD up to 6 times, and may bring the disease on many years sooner. Tobacco appears to interfere with the absorption of lutein, an important antioxidant that protects the retina from damaging ultraviolet light. Smokers are likely to have low levels of lutein and they are at greater risk of developing macular degeneration than nonsmokers. So, if you've been trying to quit smoking, here's another good reason to stop!
Reduce Exposure to Sunlight
Ultraviolet light and blue light can damage your retina and may increase your chances of developing macular degeneration. They can also speed up its development. Therefore, it is extremely important to protect your eyes when you are out of doors.
Wear a hat or visor whenever you are outside, even on overcast days. Ultraviolet light passes through cloud cover and is just as dangerous as direct sunlight.
Look for sunglasses that screen 99-100% of utraviolet A and B rays. Recent research points to blue light (the short wavelenghths of the light spectrum) as an even more damaging factor. To be on the safe side, try to find glasses that guard against both ultraviolet rays and blue light. A certain percentage of sunglasses are mislabeled, so always buy sunglasses from a reputable dealer such as our Optical Boutique. Daniel Banna, our certified optician, can check your glasses to measure the UV protection.
Control High Blood Pressure
The eye is a highly vascular organ and it has a rich supply of blood vessels. In fact, the rate of blood exchange in the eye is the highest in the body. The link between high blood pressure and AMD has been the subject of much research. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have your doctor check for it. There are no symptoms, which is why it is called "the silent killer". If you have high blood pressure, it can be controlled by following your doctor's instructions. This may involve changes in diet and/or medication.
Eat a Healthy Diet to prevent Macular Degeneration
The diet widely recommended as beneficial for cardiovascular good health - low in saturated fats, high in fruits and vegetables - also seems to help people suffering from AMD. A healthy lifestyle that includes regular cardiovascular exercise also contributes to both cardiac and eye health. One explanation: A healthy heart speeds the delivery of essential nutrients to the eyes and hastens the removal of waste products.
If you have AMD, consider supplementing your diet with antioxidants and consult with your doctor. Please visit our office to see some exciting news in nutrition.
Call today to schedule your comprehensive exam 773-775-9755
