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INFO FOR YOU |
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| MACULAR
DEGENERATION |
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The macular is located in
the center of the retina, the micro-thin
membrane. The retina has million of
light-sensitive nerve cells that capture images
focused on the retina. These captured images are
transmitted to the brain by the optic nerve.
The retina performs two separate vision
functions: central and peripheral. Central
vision originates in the macula and is needed
for highly-focused, straight-on tasks, such as
reading, driving a car, or operating a computer.
The rest of the retina’s nerve cells handle
peripheral vision.
Any damage to the macula will result in some or
even total loss of central vision. Since
peripheral vision is not affected, people with
macular degeneration can adapt to the loss of
central vision by learning to use their
remaining peripheral vision.
Most cases of macular degeneration develop after
age 50. For this reason, the disease is often
referred to as age-related macular degeneration
or ARMD. There are two types of ARMD: wet and
dry.
Dry ARMD
About 90 percent of those who have ARMD
experience this simple form of deterioration of
the macula. Usually, the process happens over a
period of months or years and may affect only
one eye. The person may notice more difficulty
seeing with one eye than the other, distortion
of straight lines, or small, dark spots
appearing in the field of vision.
At this time, the best treatment is a
combination of healthy diet, cessation of
smoking, and using vitamin supplementation as
directed by your eye care professional.
Movie about Dry
Macular Degeneration
What's an
Amsler Grid? (movie)
Wet ARMD
Although only about 10 percent of all ARMD
victims are diagnosed with the wet form, it
accounts for 90 percent of the most serious loss
of vision cases. In the dry form, the loss of
central vision tends to be gradual. In the wet
form, the deterioration of central vision can be
serious and rapid. This occurs when tiny blood
vessels in the micro-thin layer of tissue
beneath the retina begin to degenerate with age
causing tiny leaks. This can cause swellings and
breaks or lesions in the retina, damaging the
retina’s light-sensitive nerve cells.
Diagnosis requires the use of flourescein
angiography. This procedure involves an
injection in one of the patient’s vein and a
special photograph of the eye.
Many forms of treatment have been used in the
past. Currently, an injectable form of
medication has changed the method of treatment
and the hope for people with this disease.
Movie about Wet
Macular Degeneration
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