|
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in the elderly. This ailment involves the macula, which is the part of the retina which provides the sharpness and central vision needed for tasks such as sewing, driving, reading, etc. There are two forms of macular degeneration. They are the "dry" form and the "wet" or neovascular form.
In the dry form, the layer of macular cells that sense light become thinner and some cells break down. It is usually discovered by difficulty with reading. If one eye is affected, chances are that the other will be affected to some degree as well. This form of macular degeneration rarely causes the total loss of reading vision.
With the wet or neovascular form, new blood vessels grow under the macula and leaking fluid causes nearby cells to die. This produces significant vision difficulty. There may be blank spots in the field of vision or straight lines may appear to be wavy. If this continues untreated, more tissue can die within a matter of weeks or months. Once this damage has occurred, it cannot be repaired.
Although there is no proven method for preventing dry macular degeneration or the onset of neovascular or wet degeneration, treatment options are available. One treatment for wet macular degeneration is laser photo-coagulation. A laser beam is set upon a spot on the macula to destroy abnormal blood vessels. The procedure can be done in a doctor's office and takes only a few minutes. The patient is able to return to normal activity soon afterwards. This procedure can significantly reduce the risk of vision loss but must be used as new vessels develop and before more damage occurs.
Early detection is extremely important. Individuals over 40 are encouraged to have a yearly eye examination. If dry macular degeneration is found, further examinations and diagnostics are performed. There is no indication that laser photo-coagulation is effective for those suffering from the dry form of macular degeneration.
For wet macular degeneration, a procedure called fluorescein angiography is used. Dye is injected into the patients arm and its path to the eye is trace by photograph. If macular vessels are leaking, the photos will show this and guide the opthalmologist in treatment.
It is believed that the comsumption of some foods may decrease risk for this condition. The carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin block free radical damage to the retina. These substances are found in leafy green vegetables, pumpkin and spinach. The phenols in red and white wine act as antioxidants to reduce retinal damage as well. In addition, the mineral zinc has been shown to somewhat slow the progression of macular degeneration. Foods containing this mineral include whole grain breads, poultry and wheat germ.
It has been found that extended exposure to the ultra violet rays in sunshine can be harmful because this ultra violet light produces free radicals that are harmful to vision. Individuals are encouraged to protect the eyes at all times and limit exposure to direct sunlight.
| 
