Macular degeneration is an eye disease that affects the macular. It is located behind the retina. The macular is responsible for processing light into sharp, detailed, and clear images that can then be sent to the brain as part of the eye.
Macular Degeneration usually does not occur before age 40. Age-Related macular degeneration, AMD, typically occurs in those 55 years and older.
Hereditary and Age Relationship To Causes
It is thought that macular degeneration is a result of genetics. This is because it is more common among family members. Sight degeneration can also be influenced by genetics. However, you can control the aging process with the right diets and nutrients.
Scientists have so far identified the gene that is responsible for macular degeneration. This gene is known as complement factor H. Another gene located on chromosome 10, called PLEKAH1, is also a suspect.
More research is needed to understand the role of these two genes in this eye disease that affects 10 million people over 40.
Macular degeneration can also occur in younger people. In these rare cases, abnormal blood vessels behind the retina may be caused by something other than age or genetics. These cases are often caused by myopia or infection.
What is Macular Degeneration?
Your middle vision can be affected by the age-related macular disease (AMD). Most commonly, it affects people in their 50s and 60s. It doesn’t cause blindness. It can make everyday activities such as reading or recognizing faces more difficult.
If you do not receive treatment, your vision may become worse. You may experience dry AMD over several years, or it can happen quickly in a matter of weeks or months (“wet AMD”).
Macular Degeneration Symptoms
AMD isn’t painful and won’t cause any visual impairments. AMD can be detected in routine eye exams before any symptoms become apparent. AMD is a common condition that can affect your middle vision. It affects most people between 50 and 60 years of age.
It does not lead to blindness. It can make it more difficult to perform everyday tasks, such as reading and recognizing faces.
Other symptoms include:
- Straight lines can be interpreted as wavy or crooked.
- Items appear smaller than normal
- The vibrancy of colors is less evident than it was once
- You see things you don’t know exist
If you do not receive treatment, your vision may worsen. Your vision may become worse over time (called “dry AMD”). However, your vision can get worse over time. “Wet AMD” can happen in weeks or months. AMD is when your central vision is affected and not the edges.
You can do it in either one eye or both. AMD can make it more difficult to perform simple tasks like reading, driving, and watching TV.
AMD isn’t painful and will not cause any visual impairments. Sometimes AMD can be detected in routine eye exams before symptoms become apparent.
Types of Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular diseases (AMD) are the leading cause of vision loss in people over 60. Affected is the retina, the thin tissue at the back of the eye.
The retina’s center is home to the macula. Cones are light-sensitive cells.
These cones can be used to read, drive, and perform other tasks that require sharp, detailed vision.
Macular degeneration refers to the death of cells within the macular area. This can cause blind spots and distortions in central vision.
Two types of macular damage exist: dry and wet.
Both forms of the disease can be found in people. You may also be affected by the disease in one or both eyes.
It can be very slow or very fast.
Dry macular degeneration may progress and cause vision impairment, whether or not it becomes a wet form.
However, not everyone with AMD will develop advanced forms of it.
What is Dry Macular Degeneration?
Atrophic (dry), macular degeneration is the most common and accounts for 85 to 90 percent of all cases.
Slowly, the photosensitive cell in the macula die.
Under the retina, extracellular metabolic waste products, also known as yellow protein deposits, or drusen are formed. These are found between Bruch’s membrane and the retinal pigmented epithelium.
Drusen may be present in seniors’ eyes, but an increase or decrease in size is usually a sign that there has been macular damage.
Drusen can cause the death of RPE cells and photoreceptors, as well as degeneration in the macula. This can cause blurring and loss of straight-ahead clear vision but not pain.
In the beginning stages of the disease, patients may notice the blurred vision. As more cells die, blurred vision may develop in the central part of the brain.
Dry AMD does not cause complete blindness. It can cause severe central vision loss, which can adversely impact one’s quality of life.
Dry macular degeneration involves three stages:
Early
Patients may have small or medium-sized drusen. This stage does not present with any other symptoms or vision loss.
Intermediate
Patients might have many drusen, some of which may be very large. Some people may need more light for tasks such as reading. You might be able to see blurry spots in your visual field.
Advanced
Patients often have large amounts of drusen deposits. The supporting tissues of the retina and photoreceptor cells, which are light-sensitive, begin to fall apart.
A blurry area in the central vision can lead to loss of central vision. This blurry area can become darker and larger over time.
Wet Macular Degeneration
Wet is responsible for about 10% of age-related macular damages. It accounts for 90% of legal blindness cases. Advanced is the term used to describe all forms of wet macular injury.
Wet macular diseases are caused by abnormal blood vessels developing behind the macula (choroidal Neovascularization), and retinal pigment epithelial cells, and photoreceptor cell deaths.
The membrane of the Bruch begins to break down, sometimes near the drusen. The new blood vessels are then created.
This is called Neovascularization. These vessels are extremely fragile and can leak blood or fluid.
Leakage can cause damage to the macula and could lead to severe and rapid scarring.
Sometimes, straight-ahead sight can be blurred or even disappear completely within a short period of time. This can happen in a matter of days, or even weeks.
What are early signs of macular damage?
A detective is needed to detect the early signs of macular diseases symptoms. The first sign could be a gradual or abrupt decrease in vision quality.
Straight lines might appear blurred to your eyes. This could lead to blurred vision in the middle of your central vision. You may also notice darkening, blurry, or whiteout in your central vision.
Can anything be done for macular degeneration?
There is currently no treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration. However, vision rehabilitation programs and low vision devices can be used to improve visual skills and adapt to life with age-related Macular Degeneration.
What you can do to enhance your site is to examine your lifestyle to see what is fuelling its presence. Then make the necessary to receive the sight you want
What is the main cause of macular degeneration?
It is not known what causes dry macular disease. Research suggests that dry macular degeneration may be caused by both environmental and heredity factors. These include smoking, obesity, and diet. As the eyes age, this condition can develop.
Are bananas good for macular degeneration?
Peaches, bananas, and apples are all rich in lots of vitamin C. Although experts disagree on the benefits of omega-3s found in fish oil and other supplements, evidence suggests that they could reduce your risk of macular degeneration.
At what age does macular degeneration usually begin?
Can younger people get macular degeneration? Yes, both early-onset and middle-onset macular diseases (age 5-20) are genetic. A form of the disease can also be inherited in people in their thirties and forties.
Is chocolate bad for macular degeneration?
Even if Dove bars don’t improve your vision, dark chocolate contains flavonoids that may help to reduce macular degeneration risk and improve vision for people with glaucoma. Be careful, and you will have other health problems!
What is the best macular degeneration eye vitamin?
These are the best macular degeneration supplements, based on recommendations based upon two major clinical studies.
- 500mg vitamin C
- 400 IUs vitamin E
- 10 mg of lutein
- 2 mg of Zeaxanthin
- 80 mg zinc oxide
- 2 mg copper (also known as cupric oxide).
What foods are bad for macular degeneration?
Natural raw foods are excellent. It is important to eat the right amount that you can control. There are foods that you can avoid to preserve your vision.
These are:
- Trans fats are found in processed foods.
- Use tropical oils like palm oil instead.
- Margarine, vegetable shortening, and Lard.
- High-fat dairy products (eggs in moderation can be a good source for eye-healthy nutrients).
- Fat beef, pork, and even lamb.
Are eye Vitamins worth taking?
Richard Gans MD, an ophthalmologist, says that vitamins are not necessary for good eye health for most people. You can get all the vitamins you need from your diet. There is not much evidence linking vitamin supplements with better eye health.
How do you prevent macular degeneration from getting worse?
These are some ways to protect your eyes and prevent macular degeneration.
- Keep a healthy weight
- A nutritious diet should include green leafy vegetables, orange fruits, whole grains, fish, and other healthy foods.
- Don’t smoke.
- Control your blood pressure and other medical conditions.
- Exercise regularly.
- When you’re outdoors, wear sunglasses and hats.
- Regular eye exams are recommended. Consult your doctor if you have any vision problems.
Is watching TV bad for macular degeneration?
Bottom line. The bottom line is that blue light from electronic devices will not increase macular degeneration risk or cause any harm to other parts of the eyes. These devices can disrupt your sleep, or cause disruptions to other aspects of your health and circadian rhythm.
Can you stop the progression of macular degeneration?
There is no cure, but doctors can create a treatment plan to slow down the progression of the disease. Wet macular degeneration can be treated with medications, injections, and laser therapy.
Is peanut butter good for macular degeneration?
Large studies have shown that vitamin E can be combined with other nutrients to slow the progression of age-related macular disease (AMD). Vitamin E may help to prevent cataracts. Vitamin E is also found in peanut butter, hazelnuts, and peanuts (technically legumes).
Which fruit is best for eye vision?
Good eye health starts with fruits and vegetables. Foods rich in antioxidants for eye health are great sources for better sight.
Eye health-related antioxidant fruits are red berries, tomatoes, and red bell peppers. Others are spinach, kale, oranges, garlic, sunflower, turmeric, and many more.
Also, juices made with grapefruit, pomegranates, and guava are all great sources of antioxidants. Vitamin C, ascorbic acid etc.
How does macular degeneration affect daily life?
AMD can negatively impact mobility, face recognition, and perception of scenes. It also affects shopping, meal preparation, meal preparation, cleaning, driving, reading, and in some cases self-care. Evidence suggests that AMD sufferers are more likely to be depressed than the community-dwelling older.
Which is worse, dry or wet macular damage?
Dry age-related macular deterioration tends to worsen slowly so that you can maintain most of your vision. Macular degeneration, which is also known as wet macular degeneration, is the leading cause of permanent vision impairment. It can affect your quality of living if it is in both eyes.
Who is affected by AMD?
The most common cause for severe vision loss in people over 50 is an age-related macular disease. This disease affects only the central vision. You must realize that AMD rarely causes blindness. AMD can affect central vision and the ability to see fine details.
Macular Degeneration Vitamins
Vitamin A and its by-products carotenoids are closely related. It plays many vital roles in the body. Vitamin A levels and intake have been studied for their role in retinal health.
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey has shown that people who eat more fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A had a lower risk of developing any stage of AMD. This report summarized the protective effects of vitamin A on AMD.
Recent research has shown that long-term consumption of provitamin A carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of developing AMD. Vitamin C, Ascorbic Acid is an antioxidant that protects proteins and lipids from reactive oxygen species damage and free radicals.
Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables. It can be used to protect the eyes and prevent other eye diseases.
A decrease in antioxidant levels is a cause for concern too. Antioxidants, found in fruits and vegetables, help prevent cells from oxidizing, a process that leads to their ultimate destruction.
Your Take Away
Several risk factors have also been associated with the onset of Macular Degeneration. Smoking is believed to have a significant impact on its development.
There is a belief that keeping your blood pressure within “normal” ranges can reduce the risks of macula degeneration. Exercise combined with diet is a great way to regulate blood pressure. One final area being studied is the impact of direct sunlight.
However, vitamin A, beta carotene, zinc, lutein, and zeaxanthin are all nutrients that play a significant role in the retina of the human eye. Studies have proven that these nutrients protect against age-related macula degeneration and other eye disorders. Some clinical trials failed to improve eyesight and did not reduce the risk of AMD.
In addition, vitamins C and E, as well as selenium, are antioxidants that help reduce damages to the retina and the macular region. Anthocyanins have positive impacts on age-related macula degeneration. However, based on animal studies, it has been found that anthocyanins can reduce the risk of developing age-related macula degeneration. On the contrary, more research is needed on this to validate its use in humans.
