Milford Eye Care -Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration

Probably the most common cause of diminished central vision in senior citizens is macular degeneration. It's real title is Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). The macula is a small specialized area of the retina in the back of the eye which is responsible for detailed vision and color vision. When we thread a needle or read we use our macula.When there is a degeneration of these specialized cells in and around the macula our fine central vision becomes blurred and reading is especially difficult. ARMD rarely, if ever, affects our peripheral vision.
There are two basic forms of ARMD.
   The first, or DRY, form is by far the most common, accounting for over 90% of all ARMD. Here, the central vision is very slowly blurred. In the early phase it may be present, but the patient may be totally unaware of any difficulty. It slowly progresses in most cases, but sometimes remains stable for years without change.
   The second, or WET, form is much different. It tends to move quickly and significantly reduces vision within a few months to a few years. It consists of new blood vessel formation under the retina. These vessels leak fluid and blood thus distorting the macula and causing a relatively fast reduction in central vision.The exact cause of ARMD is unknown, although some believe that antioxidant vitamins and trace minerals are helpful in slowing the process. There is as yet no definitive proof of the value of this therapy for ARMD.The dry form may change into the wet form at any time, or the wet form may begin on its own without any warning. Monitoring vision with an Amsler grid is helpful in knowing if the dry form is changing into the wet form.This is important because the wet form in its early stages may be treatable with the LASER. An angiogram of the retina is necessary to determine if LASER therapy would be beneficial.
   When no medical therapy is available increased illumination, magnifying glasses, large print books, and talking books are helpful in maintaining reading vision.One reassuring point about ARMD is that it only affects the central few degrees of vision and that sufferers can almost always take care of themselves and maintain useful ambulatory vision.

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	Macular Degeneration Probably the most common cause of diminished central vision in senior citizens is macular degeneration. It's real title is Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). The macula is a small specialized area of the retina in the back of the eye which is responsible for detailed vision and color vision. When we thread a needle or read we use our macula.When there is a degeneration of these specialized cells in and around the macula our fine central vision becomes blurred and reading is especially difficult. ARMD rarely, if ever, affects our peripheral vision. There are two basic forms of ARMD. The first, or DRY, form is by far the most common, accounting for over 90% of all ARMD. Here, the central vision is very slowly blurred. In the early phase it may be present, but the patient may be totally unaware of any difficulty. It slowly progresses in most cases, but sometimes remains stable for years without change. The second, or WET, form is much different. It tends to move quickly and significantly reduces vision within a few months to a few years. It consists of new blood vessel formation under the retina. These vessels leak fluid and blood thus distorting the macula and causing a relatively fast reduction in central vision.The exact cause of ARMD is unknown, although some believe that antioxidant vitamins and trace minerals are helpful in slowing the process. There is as yet no definitive proof of the value of this therapy for ARMD.The dry form may change into the wet form at any time, or the wet form may begin on its own without any warning. Monitoring vision with an Amsler grid is helpful in knowing if the dry form is changing into the wet form.This is important because the wet form in its early stages may be treatable with the LASER. An angiogram of the retina is necessary to determine if LASER therapy would be beneficial. When no medical therapy is available increased illumination, magnifying glasses, large print books, and talking books are helpful in maintaining reading vision.One reassuring point about ARMD is that it only affects the central few degrees of vision and that sufferers can almost always take care of themselves and maintain useful ambulatory vision.
© nholland 2002