Gourt > Health > Conditions and Diseases > Eye Disorders > Retina > Macular Degeneration (1)
Macular degeneration is a medical condition where the light sensing cells in the macula malfunction and over time cease to work. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, it is the leading cause of central vision loss (blindness) in the United States today for those over the age of fifty. There are two basic types of the disease: Standard Macular Degeneration (MD) and Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), with ARMD being the most common form of the condition. Macular degeneration that is not age related is most commonly caused by an inherited condition. These forms are sometimes called Juvenile macular degeneration (JMD). In macular degeneration the final form results in missing or blurred vision in the central, reading part of vision. The outer, peripheral part of the vision remains intact.
Age related macular degeneration
ARMD is further divided into a "dry," or nonexudative, form and a "wet," or exudative, form. Eighty five to ninety percent of cases are categorized as "dry" macular degeneration where fatty tissue, known as drusen, will slowly build up behind the retina. Ten to fifteen percent of cases involve the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina. These cases are called "wet" macular degeneration due to the leakage of blood and other fluid from behind the retina into the eye. Wet macular degeneration usually begins as the dry form. If allowed to continue without treatment it will completely destroy the macula. Medical, photodynamic, laser photocoagulation and laser treatment of wet macular degeneration are available.
Risk factors
- Aging: Approximately 10% of patients 66 to 74 years of age will have findings of macular degeneration. The prevalence increases to 30% in patients 75 to 85 years of age.
- Smoking: The only environmental exposure clearly associated with macular degeneration is tobacco smoking *.
- Family history: The lifetime risk of developing late-stage macular degeneration is 50% for people who have a relative with macular degeneration vs. 12% for people who do not have relatives with macular degeneration, i.e. a four fold higher risk.
- Macular Degeneration Gene: Complement factor H (CFH) and complement factor B (CFB) genes have been determined to be strongly associated with a person's risk for developing macular degeneration. It is not yet clear what initiates the immune response against retina, although this might involve a humoral immune response.
- Hypertension: Also known as high blood pressure.
- Cardiovascular Risk Factors - high cholesterol, obesity.
- High fat intake is associated with an increased risk of macular degeneration in both women and men. Fat provides about 42 % of the food energy in the average American diet. A diet that derives closer to 20-25 % of total food energy from fat is probably healthier. Reducing fat intake to this level means cutting down greatly on consumption of red meats and dairy products such as milk, cheese, and butter. Eating more cold-water fish (at least twice weekly), rather than red meats and eating any type of nuts may help macular degeneration patients.(Reference: Macular degeneration Types and Risk Factors.
- Oxidative stress: It has been proposed that age related accumulation of low molecular weight, phototoxic, pro-oxidant melanin oligomers within lysosomes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) may be partly responsible for decreasing the digestive rate of photoreceptor outer rod segments (POS) by the RPE. A decrease in the digestive rate of POS has been shown to be associated with lipofuscin formation - a classic sign associated with macular degeneration. (Reference: Ophthalmic Research, 2005; volume 37: pages 136-141. "Melanin aggregation and polymerization: possible implications in age related macular degeneration")
- Race Macular degeneration is more likely to be found in whites than in blacks**.
- Exposure to sunlight especially blue light. There is conflicting evidence as to whether exposure to sunlight contributes to the development of macular degeneration. A recent study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology on 446 subjects found that it does notKhan JC, Shahid H, Thurlby DA, Bradley M, Clayton DG, Moore AT, Bird AC, Yates JR; Genetic Factors in AMD Study. "Age related macular degeneration and sun exposure, iris colour, and skin sensitivity to sunlight." Br J Ophthalmol. 2006 Jan;90(1):29-32.. High energy visible light (HEV) has been implicated as a cause of age-related macular degenerationGlazer-Hockstein C, Dunaief JL. "Could blue light-blocking lenses decrease the risk of age-related macular degeneration?" Retina. 2006 Jan;26(1):1-4. PMID 16395131Margrain TH, Boulton M, Marshall J, Sliney DH. "Do blue light filters confer protection against age-related macular degeneration?" Prog Retin Eye Res. 2004 Sep;23(5):523-31. PMID 15302349.
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About Macular Degeneration - Program was established to fund research and educate the public.
Meta Description: [ Funds scientific research on macular degeneration and educates the public about this disease ]
Age-Related Macular Degeneration - A simulation is designed to give patients and their caregivers a better understanding of the possible progression of the disease.
Meta Description: [ The Vision Simulator is designed to help you better understand how Age-Related Macular Degeneration progresses over time. ]
Age-Related Macular Degeneration Facts - The National Eye Institute explains causes, prevention, and treatment, with photographs and illustrations.
Meta Description: [ National Eye Institute's publication for people who are at higher risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Encourages regular eye exams through dilated pupils. ]
AMDCanada.com - Information source for age-related macular degeneration prevention and treatment options.
Meta Description: [ Definitive information source for age-related macular degeneration, prevention & treatment options for the leading cause of blindness in those over 55 ]
Angeles Vision Clinic - Macular Degeneration - In depth patient information site. Covers the condition and its many forms of treatment.
Meta Description: [ Macular degeneration is a disorder of the retina, the light-sensitive inner lining of the back of the eye. The macula is a small, central portion of the retina which is necessary for sharp, "straight ahead" vision needed for reading, driving a car or recognizing faces. ]
Are You at Risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration? - National Eye Institute (NIH) publication for people who are at higher risk. Encourages regular eye exams through dilated pupils.
Brian's Eye Story - A personal encounter. Contains photographs, new research, low vision aids, links, personal story and home eye tests.
Meta Description: [ A patient's perspective of macular degeneration and how to cope with eye disease. ]
Center for the Study of Macular Degeneration - A biomedical research unit located at UC Santa Barbara dedicated to research on the cellular, molecular and genetic factors that contribute to the disorder.
Meta Description: [ A biomedical research unit located at UC Santa Barbara dedicated to research on the cellular, molecular and genetic factors that contribute to Macular Degeneration ]
Current Concepts in Macular Degeneration - Flow diagrams, tables and synopsis of clinical studies describe the current concepts in macular degeneration.
Meta Description: [ Dry and Wet macular degeneration and risk factors for ARMD development ]
Discovery Fund for Eye Research - Information on research into the genetic causes of age-related macular degeneration. Research based at Cedars-Sinai hospital.
Meta Description: [ The Discovery Fund for Eye Research seeks treatment and cures for macular degeneration through genetics research and offers education for patients and their families. ]
eMedicine Health - Macular Degeneration - Consumer health resource center providing an overview of macular degeneration and its causes, symptoms and treatment.
Meta Description: [ Macular degeneration is a disorder that includes a variety of eye diseases that affect your central vision. Central vision is what you see directly in front of you rather than ... ]
Eye Care Source: Macular Degeneration - Forms, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of AMD are presented.
Meta Description: [ A consumer guide to Age Related Macular Degeneration. ]
HealthLink: Researching the Cause of Macular Degeneration - Current research into the aging process of particular types of cells in the eye.
Meta Description: [ Age-releted macular degeneration affects 13 million Americans. The goal of current research is to understand the aging process of particular types of cells in the eye, so that the onset of the disease can be delayed and eventually prevented.
]
Judy's Jolts of Hope - A collection of essays describing a journey towards acceptance of the devastating eye disease, macular degeneration. Written to offer hope for people with sudden vision loss.
Macular Degeneration Information - Information from HealthAtoZ.
Macular Degeneration Information and Treatments - Treatments, tests, photographs and preventive advice.
Macular Degeneration Information and Video - Information and video. Covers the main condition, macular holes, epiretinal membranes, PDT laser therapy, and vitrectomy surgery.
Macular Degeneration Information Center - Overview of the disease, its causes, its treatment and the latest research.
Macular Degeneration Partnership - Resources and information. Coalition of patients, families and leaders in the fields of vision and aging.
Meta Description: [ age related macular degeneration amd ]
Macular Degeneration, Tom's Condition - A website with information about macular degeneration. Features a personal essay about my ongoing confrontation with this disease.
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MD Simulator - The MD Simulator is a software program that dynamically simulates the visual implications of macular degeneration.
MD Support - Internet community offering information and support.
Meta Description: [ Macular Degeneration Support is a total Internet community offering information and support for people with MD. ]
New Treatment Options - New treatments for the wet form of Age-related Macular Degeneration include limited retinal translocation and laser treatment called photodynamic therapy.
Meta Description: [ In age-related macular degeneration, damage to the macula in the central part of the retina affects a person's ability to read, recognize faces or drive. New treatments for the wet form of AMD include limited retinal translocation and laser treatment called photodynamic therapy. ]
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Retinal Degeneration Discussion List - Search the archives, join the list and post from this site.
The Foundation fighting Blindness - The Foundation Fighting Blindness is a publicly-supported charity raising money to fund research for macular degeneration, and related diseases, and providing information, resources and referrals.
The Lutein - Macular Degenration - Information relating lutein to macular degeneration (AMD) risk reduction, literature references, dietary intake, chemical structure, source of pills.
Meta Description: [ Information relating lutein to macular degeneration (AMD) risk reduction, literature references, dietary intake, chemical structure, source of pills. ]
The Macular Degeneration Network - A large-type educational and service oriented website for patients and the health professionals who care for them.
Meta Description: [ This large-type web site is dedicated to help the patients who suffer from Macular Degeneration and the health professionals who care for them. ]
The Role of Vitamin A in Macular Degeneration and Fractures - Vitamin A may help slow the progression of macular degeneration, but could also increase the risk of fractures. Dr. Julie Mitchell discusses how to balance competing risks in preventive care.
Meta Description: [ Vitamin A may help slow the progression of macular degeneration, but could also increase the risk of fractures. Dr. Julie Mitchell discusses how to balance competing risks in preventive care. ]
Treating Macular Degeneration with Acupuncture - Details on treatment and explanations of related terms.
Meta Description: [ Treating Macular Degeneration by Dr. Gene Bruno from the Acupuncture Center ]
Visual Healing - Macular degeneration and other eye disorders alternative therapies are explored by Grace Halloran Ph.D. Discusses new approaches to healing degenerative eye disorders and provides a free newsletter, and therapy workshops.
Meta Description: [ A Self-Help Therapy Program For Macular Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa,
Glaucoma and Other Eye Disorders ]
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