The progressive deterioration of the Macula or the central portion of the retina causes macular degeneration. The macula is responsible for focusing central vision in the eye (ability to see objects directly in front) and for processing sharp, clear images. Macular degeneration or damage to the macula results in the development of blind spots and distorted vision. Macular degeneration is a common eye disease affecting more than 10 million Americans.
Macular Degeneration rarely results in complete blindness but leads to uneven, blurred or distorted vision and reduces contrast sensitivity and color perception. Peripheral vision may not be affected and victims may be able to see from the corners of their eyes. However, in the worst cases, Macular Degeneration may result in a complete loss of vision or lead to legal blindness.
There is no conclusive theory to the specific factors that cause macular degeneration. It is a well-known fact that macular degeneration occurs mainly because of aging. However, researchers and investigators suspect an association between development of Macular Degeneration and occurrence of a variant of a gene known as complement factor H (CFH). Almost half of all potentially blinding cases of macular degeneration have been found to be associated with this gene deficiency. The cause of this eye disease may also be related to nutrition, smoking, and sunlight or as a side effect of a particular drug.
Macular Degeneration is incurable and generally affects people in their 50s or 60s. Recent studies indicated that 35% of people aged 75 years or more may have the eye disease. Dr. Carl Kupfer, the former Director of the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, stated that this eye disease will soon take on aspects of an epidemic, back in 1997. However, with the advance in medicine and technology, there have been new treatments made available for Macular Degeneration patients. Special devices and training have also been devised, which could greatly assist victims of this eye disease.
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Age Related Macular Degeneration
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Age-related Macular Degeneration or AMD is a common eye disease that causes progressive damage to the central part of the retina, also known as the Macula. AMD is the leading cause of visual impairment in the United States, and blindness in senior citizens of America,...
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Dry Macular Degeneration
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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There are two types of Macular Degeneration or AMD. The first and more common type is the Dry Macular Degeneration. 85% to 90% of the cases of AMD or Age-related macular degeneration are of the dry or atrophic type. It is also a fact that...
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Wet Macular Degeneration
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Wet Macular Degeneration, also known as the exudative type, is the more severe of the two types of AMD or Age-related Macular Degeneration, which cause 90% of blindness from the disease but only accounts for 15% of AMD cases. Wet macular degeneration develops when new...
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Macular Degeneration Symptoms
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Macular degeneration usually generates a gradual and painless loss of vision. The signs and symptoms of AMD may depend upon what type of the disease a person may have – Dry AMD or Wet AMD. Retinal examinations such as Ophthalmoscopy, Vision testing, Fundus photography, Amsler...
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Macular Degeneration Medications
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Though there is no permanent cure for Macular Degeneration, some medications may actually assist in halting or slowing down the progress of the disease and loss of vision. While some of these medications are totally experimental, others have been found to be effective and have...
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Macular Degeneration Research
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Since Macular Degeneration or AMD is an incurable disease, there have been numerous experiments and tests conducted by researchers to halt or slow down the rate of its progression and vision loss caused by the disease. While most of the results have been disappointing, some...
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Macular Degeneration Treatments
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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There is no treatment that can cure or reverse the course of Dry Macular Degeneration. Even the available treatments for the Wet type at present are only meant to slow down the progress of the disease and avoid further loss of vision. The success of...
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Vision Care
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Over one million Americans over the age of 40 face the threat of blindness or are currently blind. Another 2.4 million are visually impaired. These numbers are expected to double in the next 30 years. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness....
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Peripheral Vision
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Peripheral vision is obtained through the nerve cells located outside the center or the macula of the retina. These nerve cells enable the eyes to perceive objects and other movements outside the central visual field and the direct line of vision. While looking steadily towards...
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Vision Appraisal
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Vision appraisal comprises of tests and examinations detecting defects in the functionalities of the visual system and evaluating the eyes’ ability to perceive things and their details efficiently. Vision appraisals may also include testing the ability of the eyes in perceiving and distinguishing colors. They...