Age Related Macular Degeneration Is A Leading Cause Of Blindness
Age related macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness in the elderly population. The disease gradually destroys the central vision of the eye, which is the main part of your vision. Without the central vision, you will no longer be able to read, watch a film or do any of your daily tasks such as driving.
Macular degeneration affects the macular part of the eye. This is located right in the centre of your retina. The retina is the tissue that lines the back of the eye and it is very sensitive to light. The job of the retina is to convert images and send them to the brain in electrical pulses so that the brain can recognise them.
There are two types of macular degeneration. There is 'wet age' and 'dry age' related macular degeneration. The type of degeneration that you may be suffering from can determine how long it will be before you will completely lose your eye sight.
Wet age related macular degeneration happens because blood vessels behind the retina will start to form underneath the macular. Which in turn have a tendency to release liquid into the retina and sometimes even blood.
When the liquid forms in retina the macular will start raise away from it's normal spot. This happens very quickly and leads to a complete loss of sight. This is a very advanced form of macular degeneration.
Dry age related macular degeneration occurs when the cells in the macular that are light sensitive begin to break down. This will cause central vision to diminish, usually this only occurs in one eye, although over time, the other eye may be affected and you will also start to lose vision in this eye.
Over 85% of the affected people that suffer from macular degeneration suffer from the dry age form.
There is no guaranteed cure for either of the age related macular degeneration. If you suffer from wet age macular disease, laser treatments and injections can slow down the vision loss, but there still is a chance that the macular degeneration will return.
If you are suffering from the advanced form of dry age related macular degeneration, there is no treatment to regain your sight. If you are lucky enough not to be in the advanced stage, your doctor can prescribe specific daily amounts of antioxidants. This is not a cure for the disease. The antioxidants will not restore your vision but they may slow down the progression of advanced dry age related retinal degeneration.
If you notice any changes in your vision you should see your doctor right away and get an expert diagnosis.
Macular degeneration affects the macular part of the eye. This is located right in the centre of your retina. The retina is the tissue that lines the back of the eye and it is very sensitive to light. The job of the retina is to convert images and send them to the brain in electrical pulses so that the brain can recognise them.
There are two types of macular degeneration. There is 'wet age' and 'dry age' related macular degeneration. The type of degeneration that you may be suffering from can determine how long it will be before you will completely lose your eye sight.
Wet age related macular degeneration happens because blood vessels behind the retina will start to form underneath the macular. Which in turn have a tendency to release liquid into the retina and sometimes even blood.
When the liquid forms in retina the macular will start raise away from it's normal spot. This happens very quickly and leads to a complete loss of sight. This is a very advanced form of macular degeneration.
Dry age related macular degeneration occurs when the cells in the macular that are light sensitive begin to break down. This will cause central vision to diminish, usually this only occurs in one eye, although over time, the other eye may be affected and you will also start to lose vision in this eye.
Over 85% of the affected people that suffer from macular degeneration suffer from the dry age form.
There is no guaranteed cure for either of the age related macular degeneration. If you suffer from wet age macular disease, laser treatments and injections can slow down the vision loss, but there still is a chance that the macular degeneration will return.
If you are suffering from the advanced form of dry age related macular degeneration, there is no treatment to regain your sight. If you are lucky enough not to be in the advanced stage, your doctor can prescribe specific daily amounts of antioxidants. This is not a cure for the disease. The antioxidants will not restore your vision but they may slow down the progression of advanced dry age related retinal degeneration.
If you notice any changes in your vision you should see your doctor right away and get an expert diagnosis.