What Are the Two Types of Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the older generation and is one of the most common eye conditions in elderly people. It damages the yellow, oval macular of the eye (which allows you to see fine details) and can result in a complete loss of central vision. There are two main types of this eye disease, so let's find out more about each ailment.

The 'dry' type

The 'dry' type of age-related macular degeneration occurs when light-sensitive cells in the macular fail to work properly and can greatly affect vision. As the retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) which support the light sensitive photoreceptor cells break down, a loss of central vision can occur. This type of AMD usually develops over many years and tends to affect 80 per cent of those with the condition.

Many patients with the dry type of age-related macular degeneration will find that their vision deteriorates slowly. Symptoms may not be obvious in the early stages but central vision usually gets worse with time. Sufferers can find it hard to read small print or watch TV and might need more light to see objects clearly. As the condition progresses, a blind spot can develop in the middle of each eye, however, peripheral vision is rarely affected.

Both eyes are usually affected at the same time, but it is possible for one eye to be worse than the other, so discuss any abnormalities with your optometrist. An eye care specialist will look out for small, yellowish deposits known as drusen (which are an early sign of this disease) and will refer you to the hospital if they are worried. There is no cure for dry AMD; however, magnifying glasses and electronic devices can help you live your life to the full.

The 'wet' type

The 'wet' type of age-related macular degeneration occurs when new blood vessels on the retina leak very suddenly and can cause severe damage to your eyesight. It's a lot more serious than dry AMD and must be treated as a medical emergency. Always seek help if you experience sudden or gradual loss of your eyesight and don't put up with any pain or discomfort.

Your optometrist will use a special book to look for distortion of your central vision and will examine your retina (a collection of sensitive cells at the back of your eye). If they notice a problem you'll probably be referred to an eye care hospital where you'll receive professional help. Laser treatments can stop the vessels from leaking and innovative new injections can prevent your vision form worsening.

Book an eye test if you're suffering from blurred vision and protect your eyesight for the future.

Penelope Byrd is a freelance copywriter based in the UK. She specialises in medical journalism, in particular eye care. If you believe to be experiencing problems with your vision, visit your local opticians as soon as possible.

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What You Can Do To Help Partly Prevent Or Treat Macular Degeneration

Age related macular degeneration, also referred to as AMD, is a form of vision loss and affects the macula part of the eye or eyes. It is the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in most western countries. Usually affecting people aged 65 or above, this is a more serious eye condition than some other complaints and eye conditions.

There are different forms of this condition and each comes with slightly different symptoms and treatment options. Macular degeneration affects the central vision, rather than what you see off to the side. Because the macula is affected which is part of the retina it is your central vision which is affected.

Wet macular degeneration means that blood vessels are affecting the retina, while the dry form implies that there is some debris in the eye. Age related macular degeneration refers to one of either wet or dry macular degeneration. Symptoms include a difficulty in recognising faces and in reading, as well as dark patches in your vision or empty vision in your eye line. Wet macular degeneration is less common, generally speaking.

Diagnosis will entail an examination of the retina and is easy and free of pain. Early detection is the key here, as this condition can cause blindness if left untreated. No need to suffer longer than you have to. With so many treatment options available getting diagnosed quickly, and moving equally quickly on to a treatment option, is the best thing you can do.

Causes Of Macular Degeneration

The causes of this problem can range from person to person. For some it will simply be age. It is well-known the people over the age of 55 suffer more eyesight issues and vision loss than younger people. As we age, our body is less able to repair vital systems and therefore our eyesight can suffer.

Pigmentation and race also plays a part. This eye complaint is more common in white or lightly pigmented people.

Your iris colour is also an indication, and those with lightly coloured iris are more at risk of developing this eye complaint.

Also, your gender plays a part, and women are at a higher risk of developing macular degeneration.

Lifestyle choices also play a part, and smoking is way up there as a well-known cause of all types of macular degeneration. Obesity can be another contributing factor. If you have been exposed to lots of sunlight, through your career or perhaps you live nearer the equator then this puts you in a higher risk category also.

Lastly, family history is one of the biggest contributing factors. And this of course, you cannot control. But if you know of a family history in macular degeneration or any other eye issues then you know to get tested regularly and watch your lifestyle.

So it really is worth considering getting more vegetables into your diet, quitting smoking and watching your weight. These are all factors you can control. While you cannot help having a hereditary disease, you can control your lifestyle, diet and other factors so it really does pay to consider these.

The main thing to remember with any eye complaint is that treatment should be sought fast, as the quicker you get diagnosed, the more effective the treatment can be and the less suffering you have to experience.

Treatments For Macular Degeneration

There are several ways to treat all forms of macular degeneration, ranging from natural remedies to surgery.

Improving your diet is one option. Essential nutrients and vitamins can benefit your eye sight. Another great thing you can do is quit smoking, and you can protect yourself from the sun light as much as possible.

Vision aids can help train your sight, especially in the areas of peripheral vision. Surgery is an option too as are injections. Laser surgery is reported to be very effective, quick, easy and free of pain. Laser eye treatment is one solution for eye conditions, as are all the other options listed. The best plan of action is to speak to your doctor about which one is going to be best for you. Macular degeneration needs to be taken seriously and acted upon, but thankfully it can be treated, although sight lost through wet macular degeneration cannot be regained.

Kate Dawson writes for Optegra. Optegra are a leading provider of high quality ophthalmic services. They offer world class treatments for a variety of eye conditions such as macular degeneration. They tailor their treatments, such as laser eye treatment, to the specific eye condition of each patient.

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Macular Degeneration Prevention and Treatment

Aging makes a particular person gradually lose his or her senses including eyesight. Vision is probably one of the most important out of all the senses that people have, and yet the aging process causes it to deteriorate eventually, which may lead to blindness. One of the main causes of losing eyesight is macular degeneration. It can affect people of all ages. Still, most of the people who are affected by this condition are those who are already about fifty to sixty years of age. Some lose sight because of having diabetic retinopathy and seek various treatments including laser eye procedures and other methods. In this article, focus will be given on how to prevent and treat macular degeneration and save the eyesight.

The macula in the eye is a most important component in the vision of a person. However, it can degenerate because of different factors including hypertension, genetics, high level of cholesterol, damage from the sun and smoking. This condition is slow moving and affects one eye first then the other one later. It can take several years before an individual may notice that they are suffering from the condition and by the time that they do notice it, it might be too late already. This is why it is important for everyone to take very good care of vision health and undergo regular checks.

How to Prevent This Condition

A good diet can always help take care of vision. Experts often recommend an increased intake of foods that are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. This includes incorporating food items that are high in beta carotene, vitamin D, E, C and zinc. Taking as much important nutrition can always make the overall health of a person, which in turn can maintain his or her vision. Aside from taking a good and nutritious diet, macular degeneration can also be prevented by a nonsurgical treatment called Micro Current Stimulation, which generally improves the health of the macula. Using low vision aids will also protect the overall vision of a person and keeping a healthy lifestyle that will not make the eye suffer. If it is possible to read books or newspapers only in good lighting, individuals must do so.

How to Treat Macular Degeneration

Many experts also recommend continuing the same nutrition rich diet in order to cure this condition. Care can be done at home, and this includes taking an increased dose of zinc and antioxiants and other natural supplements. Most doctors would ask their patients to stop smoking in order to stop the condition from progressing. There are also laser eye treatments that many people have undergone and which have shown a lot of improvement in their visions. This treatment can either stop the degeneration, or at least slow it down. Photodynamic therapy is also available, but it takes about up to a couple of years to complete the treatment. There are also a number of drugs or medications that doctors may prescribe in order to treat macular degeneration. Surgical procedures are also available.

In essence, macular degeneration can cause blindness if it is not treated appropriately and in a timely manner. One of the ways to prevent this is to make sure that people have their eyes tested annually. Once every year is enough, especially if macular degeneration runs in the family. Screening for this disease is mostly free in most clinics because of several groups that are advocates for the prevention of this condition.

As people grow older, there are many age related diseases that may inevitably happen and this includes macular degeneration. Once any individual reaches the age of 60, he or she will be more prone to acquiring this eye condition. Keeping a healthy lifestyle by eating the right kind of foods such as vegetables and fish as well as exercising regularly can help reduce the risk of this disease and other eye conditions including diabetic retinotherapy. Because of the advancements in health and science, various treatments and preventive measures are now available such as laser eye treatment.

Kate Dawson writes articles for Immaculate about a leading centre for ophthalmic services and laser eye surgery. The centre provides a range of different services for many different eye conditions, including macular degeneration and diabetic retinotherapy.

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Eyeglasses and Macular Degeneration

If you've ever heard of macular degeneration and you're under the age of 50, you've likely heard of this horrific disease because one of your grandparents had it. It's a common vision disease among the elderly but many people have no idea how terrifying this disease can be. Macular degeneration causes a slow deterioration of the eye that eventually leads someone, who may not have worn glasses in their lives, to blindness. It's true that people who have never had any vision problems and have had perfect 20/20 vision for their entire lives can go blind from this disease.

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