What is macular degeneration?
Macular
degeneration is an eye disease usually associated with
aging that gradually diminishes central vision. When the
macula becomes damaged, many daily activities such as
driving and reading become increasingly difficult.
How many people suffer from age-related macular
degeneration (ARMD)?
For people
over age 65, age-related macular degeneration is a leading
cause of new cases of legal blindness. Approximately 3.6
million Americans have ARMD, and, of those, 1.8 million
experience serious visual impairment. The government
estimates that by the year 2030, with the aging of the Baby
Boomers, 6.3 million Americans could be functionally
blinded by this disease.
Can younger people get macular degeneration?
Yes. Early
onset macular degeneration (birth to age 7) is a genetic
disease, as is middle-onset macular degeneration (age 5 to
20). People in their thirties or forties can develop a form
of the disease that is also inherited. Finally, myopic
macular degeneration can occur in people who are severely
nearsighted due to extreme elongation of the eyeball. This
condition can result in tears in the macula and bleeding
beneath the retina.
What are wet and dry macular degeneration?
There are
two forms of macular degeneration: dry macular degeneration
and wet macular degeneration. The dry form, in which the
cells of the macula slowly begin to break down, is
diagnosed in 85 percent of macular degeneration cases. It
may occur in one eye or both. The wet form, although it
only accounts for 15 percent of the cases, results in 90
percent of the blindness caused by macular degeneration. As the dry form worsens, some
people develop abnormal blood vessels growing behind the
macula. These fragile vessels will leak fluid (hence 'wet'
macular degeneration), causing rapid damage to the macula.
How is macular degeneration diagnosed?
An eye care
professional, as part of a comprehensive eye examination,
will perform a retinal examination to help diagnose macular
degeneration. If wet macular degeneration is suspected, a
special test called “fluorescein angiography” may also be performed.
What causes macular degeneration?
No
one is certain as to what causes macular degeneration, but
there appear to be certain risk factors. These risk factors
include:
• Smoking
• Age (Americans have a
two percent chance of having macular degeneration during
their 50s, which increases to 25 percent for those age 65
and older)
• Gender (women appear to
be at slightly higher risk)
• Family
history
• High cholesterol
• Caucasians are much more likely to have macular
degeneration than African Americans
• There are also
suggestions that visible and ultraviolet light, low
consumption of fruits and vegetables, and having light skin
color and blue eyes may all be factors associated with
increased risk.
Are there effective treatments for macular
degeneration?
There
is no current treatment for dry macular degeneration. Laser
surgery (laser photocoagulation) and photodynamic therapy
can destroy the abnormal blood vessel growth in the macula
and are helpful for those who have wet macular
degeneration. However, vision that is already lost will not
be restored by these treatments. If vision is already lost,
low vision aids exist that can help improve
the
quality of life.
Recent advancements in treating macular degeneration include Macugen, Lucentis and Evastin ocular injections. Before considering undergoing any of the above treatments, be sure to inquire with your ophthalmologist during your next comprehensive eye exam, who may refer you to a retinal specialist.
What new research is being done to find a cure for macular
degeneration?
Ongoing
research continues with studies exploring environmental,
genetic and dietary factors that may contribute to macular
degeneration. New treatment strategies are also being
explored, including retinal cell transplants, drugs that
will prevent or slow the progress of the disease, radiation
therapy, gene therapies and agents that will prevent the
growth of new blood vessels under the macula.
Can vitamin supplements help treat macular
degeneration?
Recent
clinical data has been released from the Age-Related Eye
Disease Study, a major research program to improve the
understanding of the possible causes and protective or
aggravating factors of macular degeneration, organized by
the National Eye Institute (NEI, of the National
Institutes of Healt. NEI researchers found that people at
high risk of developing advanced stages of macular
degeneration lowered their risk by about 25 percent when
treated with a high-dose combination of vitamin C, vitamin
E, Lutein, beta-carotene, zinc and copper.
A physician should always be
consulted before taking supplements. It is possible that
the supplements may interfere with medication that you are
taking or may cause undesired side effects.
Can diet prevent macular degeneration?
Some studies
appear to indicate that eating a diet high in antioxidants
may reduce the risk of developing age-related macular
degeneration. More research is needed before definitive
recommendations can be made concerning diet and its role in
macular degeneration. Fruits and vegetables, especially
those high in lutein and zeaxanthin, appear to provide the
best protection.
Lutein can be found in spinach,
collard greens, kale, broccoli, papaya, oranges, kiwi,
mango, green beans, peaches, sweet potatoes, lima beans,
squash, red grapes and green bell peppers.
Zeaxanthin
can be found in yellow corn, honeydew melon, squash,
oranges, mango, kale, apricots, peaches and orange bell
peppers.
What is the best defense against blindness from macular
degeneration?
The
best defense is having:
• Comprehensive eye exams
on a regular basis
• Maintaining a one-on-one
relationship with a qualified eye
specialist
• Appropriate follow-up
schedule with your ophthalmologist
Other strategies might also
include:
• Healthy diet high in
antioxidants, zinc, lutein and
zeaxanthin
• Protecting your eyes
from UV rays
• Not
smoking