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The implantable telescope helps to improve vision for those with advanced age related macular degeneration (AMD). Advanced macular degeneration is end-stage AMD resulting from either dry or wet AMD. This would include patients who are no longer candidates for receiving eye injections such as Lucentis or Avastin. The miniature telescope is placed into the eye with the poorest vision. The telescope actually replaces the existing lens and magnifies images 2.5x. Cornea specialists who are trained by Vision Care perform the implant procedure. The telescope works by directing light from the new lens to parts of the macula that are still functioning. Patients first try an external version of the telescope...

Age related macular degeneration, also referred to as AMD or ARMD, which is a condition affecting central vision, presents itself in two unique forms: dry and wet. Each form has specific and unique characteristics, while both still produce a reduction in central vision. In both cases, the majority of affected individuals are elderly, with early indicators sometimes arising in middle age. Dry AMD, also called non-neovascular macular degeneration, is the slower of the two conditions. Its development is largely measured by the accumulation of drusen, deposits that are possibly unprocessed protein or waste products. Drusen tends to be yellow in color. The accumulation can begin in middle age, but often...

Often health problems can be prevented when an early eye problem has been identified. Conditions such as diabetes or hypertension are often first discovered during an eye exam. Macular degeneration occurs when the vascular system that feeds the macula is not working properly. Not enough nutrients and oxygen are getting to the macula and likewise, the waste products are not being removed and they build up and clog the transport system. To have healthy eyes we want to promote a healthy circulation to the eyes. Any time we have a condition that harms the circulation or the tiny vessels that feed the macula, like hypertension, we cause harm to our eyes. The vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to...

Here are some of the common causes: 1. Smoking If we were to name the number one preventable cause of macular degeneration it would be smoking. Smoking increases the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by nearly 50 percent, reveals a recent analysis of about 3,500 Beaver Dam, Wis. residents undergoing eye-related studies since 1987. The finding was reported in the January 2008 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology. 2. High Blood Pressure The blood vessels that supply blood to your eyes, and in particular, the retina are very small and delicate. Like other blood vessels, they are damaged by high blood pressure. This can result in the blood vessels leaking which leads to fluid...

Macular drusen are simply small yellow or white deposits of lipid (a fatty compound)and calcium that build up in the Bruch's membrane of the eye. The Bruch's Membrane is a layer of tissue underneath the retina. My husband, who has a strong family history, went for his yearly eye exam this week, and we wanted to know if any of these little, yellow deposits had developed in the past year. Thankfully, not yet. Well, why is this important to know? And if I have some of these deposits should I be concerned? It may depend on what type you have. There are two main types: 1) Hard and 2) Soft Hard Drusen This type of deposit is the less harmful form. They are characterized by:round shapedistinct, well...

If you are a person who has reached middle age, there is a strong possibility that you are starting to develop the early stages of Age Related Maculopathy (often called Age Related Macular Degeneration or ARMD). This is an eye disease that causes loss of central vision but not peripheral vision. The macula, which is located in the back of the retina, is what is affected most by the disease. The macula is compromised by ARMD, resulting in unclear and distorted vision. The most serious form of the disease is wet ARMD. When this condition occurs, abnormal blood vessels form behind the retina and leak blood into the macula's surrounding tissues. Eventually, scar tissue builds up around the macula...

With all the benefits of omega 3 in fish oil, it would have been easy for you to guess that fish oil can provide benefits to the eye and to the vision too. Omega 3 study for macular degeneration suggest that supplementation with fish oil can help prevent and manage this difficult condition. How, you might ask? Age Related Macular Degeneration or ARMD is a condition that leads to the progressive damage of the central part of the retina called the macula. This degenerative disease is debilitating because the macula is the part of the eye that allows us to see fine details. Degeneration of the macula thereby leads to loss of central vision making it impossible for sufferers to read, drive or even...

As people live longer eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts are on the rise which has a negative effect on eye health. This often robs people of their freedom and quality of life. Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in people over 65. AMD occurs when the cells in the central part of the eye, which is called the macular, begin to degrade. This causes loss of sight in the central part of the field of vision, but leaves peripheral vision intact. It is estimated that as many as 16 million Americans show signs of the initial stages of AMD. To put that into perspective that is roughly twice the population of Los Angeles. While this seems...

Macular degeneration is an age-related eye disease which bothers a large number of people aged more than fifty. Macular degeneration can cause people some damages to the retina, and what's the worse, may cause people to lose their vision. Once we get macular degeneration, it is hard to bring our eyes back to the original state, the thing we need to do is to try every means to slow down its progress. The following will introduce some methods to slow down the progression of macular degeneration.   There are two kinds of macular degeneration, dry and wet macular degenerations. Macular degeneration mainly causes people to lose the sight in the central field of vision. Though people still have some...

According to a recent report from an ongoing 5 year study by the AREDS, suggests that increased antioxidant usage has been shown to considerably slow the effects of age related vision loss and retinal disease. The study has also shown that a combination of both zinc and antioxidant vitamins create a powerful balance of preventative vision loss defenses for your body. Most forms of eye disease are caused when light-sensitive cells in the macula (which is located at the center of the retina at the back of the eye) break down. The result of this deterioration otherwise known as AMD or age-related macular degeneration is unfortunately a loss in both central and peripheral vision. There are two types of...

Have you heard that there are a lot of health benefits that omega 3 offers? Like, the promotion of brain health, prevention of cancer, reduction of risks of cardiovascular diseases, the development of immune function, and its anti-inflammatory properties. However, the most basic, and perhaps the one which you will value the most, is its capability to protect your eyes and keep your precious sense of sight. Studies delving into the relationship between omega 3 and retina have provided accurate and credible evidence. It was shown that this family of fatty acids is indeed capable of initiating positive effects on eye health. Degenerative diseases such as retinitis, pigmentosa, and macular degeneration...

Macular degeneration is an eye condition that affects the retina. It is a silent and painless loss of central vision due to the degeneration or dying of cells in a small, but critical spot in the retina, called the macula. The macula is responsible for our straight ahead vision and our sharp, detailed vision. When the cells of the macula begin to degenerate or die symptoms of macular degeneration occur. Some of the symptoms of dry ARMD are: 1) Blurred vision 2) Loss of color perception 3) Loss of detailed or sharp vision 3) Difficulty seeing at night Vision loss in the dry form of this retinal disease is usually more gradual and not as severe as the wet form. But almost everyone who has the wet form...

"Dietary changes may be the most practical and cost-effective prevention method to combat progression of age related macular degneration(AMD)," according to Allen Taylor, Ph.D., Director of the Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research at the USDA The food we eat provides our bodies, including our eyes, with the building blocks that are needed to build and repair cells. The more nutrient rich the food, the better the building blocks. The better the building blocks the healthier the body. The health of your eyes is also a reflection of the health of your entire body - if you have weak blood vessels, degeneration, or blockages in your eyes, the same processes are occurring in the rest of your body...

Macular degeneration, also known as age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease of the macula of the eye that is found predominantly in elderly people and is the leading cause of central vision loss in the USA for those over the age of 50 years. The macula is the central area of the retina of the eye that, if diseased or damaged, results in the inability to read or see fine detail. There are two main types of advanced AMD - dry and wet. The former makes up over 90% of cases and, the less common wet form makes up the remaining 10%. The cause of dry macular degeneration is the formation of deposits called drusen on the macula. Drusen are fairly common in individuals over 50 years of age and do...

Macular degeneration is one of the most frequent causes of impaired vision in the UK. This painless eye condition is common among people above the age of 50. According to a report published by National Health Service (NHS) in 2008, approximately 30% of individuals above the age of 75 were suffering from the preliminary stage of macular degeneration and 7% had crossed to the advanced stages. According to one estimate, more than 239,000 people will be affected by age-related macular degeneration by 2011. What is Macular Degeneration? Dry macular degeneration is an eye condition that leads to the loss of vision from the centre of the retina, which we use to view fine detail. It means that a person...

Telescopic glasses are among the latest of the numerous low vision aids used to help people in dealing with macular degeneration symptoms. While there is no cure for age related macular degeneration (AMD), there are macular degeneration treatments available that can assist such patients in maximizing what sight they do have; telescopic glasses are possibly among the most effective, both in terms of cost and effectiveness. In some ways, these remarkable devices - also known as bioptics - are similar to bifocal reading glasses. They essentially work the same way; patients utilize these macular degeneration devices by tilting their heads forward. These particular macular degeneration devices are...

Of all the ailments which affect the elderly, macular degeneration, a disorder of the eye is perhaps one of the most common. Chances are that though we hear about this term, many of us may not have much information about it. However to understand what this disorder is, you have to familiarized yourself with the inner parts of the eye. The retina, located at the center of the inner lining of the eye, has a particular area called the macula. When a person is suffering from macular degeneration, the macula area may get thinner, become dysfunctional or sometimes may also bleed. It is important to note that it is the macula area of the eye which allows us to see the finer details. So if this condition is...

Despite macular degeneration being one of the leading causes of partial blindness in the United States, the causes of this disease are not very well known. Some of the risk factors that are determined are related to genetic links within families, excessive exposure to ultra-violet rays from the sun, smoking and hypertension among other causes. The condition is relatively more common in women and people with blue or light colored eyes. Diagnostic tests for Macular Degeneration include acuity tests which measures the accuracy of the central vision at specific distances in specific lighting situations. The Amsler Grid test checks for spots of sight loss. Color tests help to determine the status of the...

There are new treatments for macular degeneration that are proving to be quite effective in treating this debilitating disease. Many older people have the disease and are looking for ways to keep it under control. In its early stages, the disease is less noticeable and often times a person doesn't even know it's there. However, the more severe advanced Age Related Macular Degeneration (wet ARMD) generally comes on quite suddenly and causes severe vision problems. Once wet ARMD is diagnosed, treatment should begin immediately. Sometimes laser photocoagulation treatment is used. This method of treatment uses a hot laser to seal off blood vessels growing under the eye. Fluorescein angiography is used...

Until now, research from the National Eye Institute and others has shown benefit to taking macular degeneration supplements only after you've developed dry macular degeneration. But a study in the June 2008 issue of the professional journal, Archives of Ophthalmology has finally shown the benefit to previously healthy people in the prevention of both mild and severe forms of this eye disease. Researchers from Australia and Singapore published a study entitled, "Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Fish Intake in the Primary Prevention of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." This meta-analysis consisted of a mathematical evaluation of the results from nine previous...

If you are over age 50 and are experiencing vision problems, you may very well have Dry Macular Degeneration, which is the most common type of macular degeneration (AMRD). There are several types of dry macular degeneration including atrophic ARMD, drusen, soft drusen, diagram drusen, geographic, fovemacular dystrophy, Choroidal Sclerosis, and mixed/retinal pigment epithelial hypertrophy. Atrophic dry macular degeneration occurs when the retina becomes thin, causing central vision to become blurry and hazy. This thinning is a gradual process and only affects the macular area of the eye. An individual with Atrophic dry macular degeneration continues to have good side (peripheral) vision. Over a...

As if all the health benefits of fish oil are not enough, recent studies have shown the relationship between fish oil and eye retinas. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil has been seen to decrease the risk of retinal diseases and promote overall eye health. More specifically, omega-3 has been found to play a role in the protection of the cells in the retina from degenerative conditions like age-induced macular degeneration, pigmentosa and retinitis. Macular generation, as you probably know, is the leading cause of loss of vision for the aged population. Scientific evidence seem to lead that omega-3 fish oils can protect and reduce damage to the eyes caused by inflammation, light, ischemia and the effect...

What if I told you that there are a lot of health benefits that omega 3 offers? Like, the promotion of brain health, prevention of cancer, reduction of risks of cardiovascular diseases, the development of immune function, and its anti-inflammatory properties. But the most basic, and perhaps the one which you will prize the most, is its capability to protect your eyes and keep your precious sense of sight. Studies delving into the relationship between omega 3 and retina have provided accurate and credible evidence. It was shown that this family of fatty acids is indeed capable of initiating positive effects on eye health. Degenerative diseases such as retinitis, pigmentosa, and macular degeneration...

Nutritional Supplements: Has the Fringe Become the Cutting Edge? Just a few years ago, doctors were telling their patients that multivitamins were a waste of time and money and that you could get all the nutrients you need from your diet. In the June 2002 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, the AMA reversed its long-standing anti-vitamin policy and began advising all adults to take at least one multivitamin pill each day. What was once considered fringe medicine or quackery has now become cutting edge medicine. It is estimated that over 80% of Americans do not eat at least five helpings of fruits and vegetables a day, the recommended minimum amount believed to provide...

The macula is located in the center of the retina in the back of the eye. It is responsible for our detailed and straight ahead vision - the vision that is needed for seeing faces, driving and reading. Peripheral or side vision is usually not affected. It is not blindness. There are several forms of juvenile macular degeneration - all of them affect the macula, the tiny spot in the back of the retina and all are associated with a genetic mutation. Best Disease is also known as vitelliform macular dystrophy. This disease is hereditary and is passed on by a gene. The diagnosis is usually made during childhood or adolescence. There are several stages to this macular dystrophy. 1) A yellow cyst forms...

Not being able to see clearly is a disorder that many older people suffer from. It is likely that these people have Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) because it is an eye disease that usually strikes around middle-age. Macular degeneration treatment is available and the sooner it is started, the more chance that the disease can be controlled and possibly delayed. People with ARMD lose their central vision sight but their peripheral vision is unaffected. The disease may remain quite manageable for many years but can develop into a more devastating form of the disease called wet ARMD. Wet ARMD often causes substantial loss of vision. People with the disease have trouble reading, doing any kind...

Today, we see a flurry of TV commercials and magazine ads touting the importance of optic vitamins in better eye health. Without doubt, eye vitamins help strengthen our eyes and keep them healthy while preventing eye diseases. Our daily diet is supposed to provide all the essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients that our body systems require. The fast paced culture has its toll on modern food habits. Taking fast food often add bulk to our food while leaving out the important ingredient of body nutrients. Taking optic vitamin supplements is the inexpensive method of making up of lost vitamin content from our daily bread. Vitamins for eyes are available without prescription and don't cost much. The...

The choroid is the middle layer of the eye. It lies between the sclera and the retina. The four main layers are: 1) The Sclera 2. The Choroid Layer 3. Bruch's Membrane is between the choroid and the Retinal Pigment Epitheliam (RPE), and acts as a filter between the RPE and choriocapillaries, keeping them separated. 4. Retinal Pigment Epithelium - transports metabolic waste from the photoreceptor cells across Bruch's membrane to the choroid. The choroid layer contains most of the eye's blood vessels. These new, fragile and abnormal blood vessels grow up through the retinal layers. The vessels are very fragile and break easily, causing blood and fluid to pool within the layers of the retina. Symptoms...

The macula is the central section of the retina. The retina is a part of the eye that contains the photosensitive cells that are responsible in sending visual messages to the brain. The brain then interprets these electrical messages. The densest area of concentration of these photosensitive cells is located at the macula. The macular degeneration is impairment or loss of function of the macular zone that results to weakening and eventual death of the vital central vision. Thus the extensive development of blind spots. Central vision is impaired while peripheral vision remains the same in macular degeneration. Symptoms are only obvious when the case is already advanced. This is because the brain...

A small battery-operated device delivers low-intensity electricity to points around the eyes. This stimulation is thought to increase the blood flow to the eyes and as a result the eye is better nourished, more oxygen gets to the tissues, and waste products are more efficiently removed. It is also believed that MCS helps to stimulate retinal cells that have become somewhat dormant and sluggish. Is Microcurrent Stimulation Safe? The procedure is safe, noninvasive and painless. No side effects or adverse reactions have been observed. No increase in the conversion to the wet form of age related macular degeneration has been seen in those who have been treated. In a consensus statement by the NIH...

If you have age related macular degeneration (AMD) you need to increase your fish oil dosage by eating oily fish at least two times a week to keep your eye disease in check according to new research. It's the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish like mackerel or salmon that slow (maybe even halt) the progress of both the early and later stages of the sight stealing disease. In the United Kingdom a half a million people suffer from AMD. In the United Sates, estimates suggest 1.75 million patients have the advanced form of AMD, and another 7.3 million are in the early stages of disease. The conclusions of this new work is based on research that involved about 3,000 subjects who took part in a trial on...

There are just a few treatment options available for macular degeneration. More specifically, there are only treatments available for the wet form. There are none for dry macular degeneration. Vitamins for the Eyes - Despite what you may read on the Internet or hear on the radio, vitamins are not helpful for most patients with macular degeneration. Only a small subset of "intermediate and high risk" patients with the wet form can derive a benefit from supplements. The AREDS study (Age Related Eye Disease Study), an NIH funded study, found that patients with intermediate or high-risk characteristics, had a decreased chance of severe vision loss if specific supplements were taken. The study found that...

The proper lutein dosage depends on your age and your current state of physical health, as well as other factors. There are no risks associated with high daily intakes, other than bronzing of the skin, which occurs with all carotenoids. Carotenoids are pigments or colors. They combine with each other to form all of the colors of the rainbow. Beta-carotene, the primary carotenoid found in carrots, is a red-orange pigment. Zeaxanthin, which is nearly identical, on a molecular level, to lutein, is a deep yellow-orange color. Lycopene is bright red. All of the carotenoids are important to the health of the eyes and to visual acuity. Night blindness is usually caused by a lack of beta-carotene or other...

Living with low vision is a concern for many, especially those age fifty and over. One of the types of eye problems often associated with people in this age range is age related macular degeneration. A degenerative condition of the macula, which is located at the back of the retina in the eye, this can leave the patient with low vision suitable for reading, driving and other close-up work where detailed sight is required. Your ophthalmologist is your best resource for detecting early macular degeneration. He or she can then offer you preferred treatment options, as well as a full range of eye glasses specific to this disease, low vision magnifiers, and other aids to help you see better and live a...

Vital information on macular degeneration. Unfortunately, there are not any known ways to completely prevent age related macular degeneration. That said, there are many ways that you lower your risk. These tips have been known to help those who were genetically pre-disposed to macular degeneration. Below are some secrets in lowering your risks before it is too late. Get your eyes examined early. Regular eye exams are critical in determining if you are at risk for developing macular degeneration or not. If you are pre-disposed genetically, you should make sure to schedule annual exams. This will help prevent potential eye loss later. It could also delay loss of vision of the doctors can detect it...

Macular degeneration is a medical condition, normally found in elderly adults, in which the center of the inner lining of the eye, known as the "Macula" area of the retina becomes thin, a condition also known as atrophy. In some cases, it even results in bleeding. This can cause loss of central vision, which may result in inability to see fine details, to read, an in some instances recognize faces. There are a few risk factors that predispose one to developing Macular Degeneration: - The risk increases with age - Cigarette smoking - Family history of Macular Degeneration - Cardiovascular disease elevated levels of Cholesterol - Light eye color - Excessive exposure to sunlight Eying the right DIET...

As we age, we have the tendency to experience age-related diseases. One of them is macular degeneration where the affected part is the macula or the central part of the retina. The function of the macula is for our central vision. This simply means that we can see all the things that are directly in front of us with the help of this part of the eye. Aside from the detailed vision, it is also for color vision. This is the part of the eye that allows us to see 20/20 and read properly or recognize other people's faces. Macular degeneration can lead to blindness for people aging at an average of 55 years old. In this condition, the macula involved for the central vision degenerates or deteriorates...

Benefits of omega 3 fatty acids are enormous - brain development, cardiovascular advantages and protection of heart from strokes and attacks top the list. But you know that omega 3 and retina are also related? Regular intake of omega3 decreases the risk of retinal diseases. Let us explore further DHA type of omega3 is present in high concentration in retina; a complex, layered structure, light-sensitive part of the eye. Light striking the retina is captured by millions of photoreceptors in it and are converted to electrical impulses. These impulses travel to the brain where they are turned into images. Any damage to retina (because of any reason) could result in permanent blindness. Scientific...

Let us face it; the connection between omega 3 and retina health is new as in comparison to medically proven heart and brain benefits of essential omega3 fatty acids. This is the reason; many people are not aware of the fact that high levels of omeag3 fats result in improved eyesight and prevention of age-related macular degeneration. Therefore, without much ado, let us understand the relation between omega 3 and retina health. Retina, as you might know is the light sensitive layer in the eye that contains photoreceptor and is responsible for sending the visual signals to the brain via optic nerves. The visual area of the brain then interprets these signals and we see the world as it is. However, if...

About Zeaxanthin Zeaxanthin is a naturally occurring carotenoid that can be found in the retina of the eye. It is the most abundant in the component found within the central macula. It actually makes up 75% of the total. Macular degeneration happens naturally in older people over the age of 55. It develops whenever the macula begins to break down; therefore, keeping the macula healthy is the key to not developing macular degeneration. One way to do this is to consume zeaxanthin, since it is the primary component of the central macula of the eye. Believe it or not, zeaxanthin is also a naturally occurring carotenoid that can be found in a variety of different fruits and vegetables. One can help...

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 most cases of age-related macular degeneration always starts out as the dry form. Dry macular degeneration occurs when the RPE or retinal pigment epithelium cells begin to atrophy (deteriorate) and lose their pigment. This deterioration is associated with the formation of small yellow deposits under the macula, known as Drusen. This leads to the contraction and drying out of the macula impairing its main function. Only one eye may be initially affected but in most...

p>The benefit of lutein and its sister molecule zeaxanthin for macular degeneration is becoming more well known. Several studies have now been published and researchers are even learning how to measure the density of the retinal pigmentation, before and after supplementation. They have seen that supplementation does, in fact, increase the density of the pigmentation within the retina and that, they believe, prevents further damage, reducing the risk of blindness. Although the exact cause of age-related macular degeneration or ARMD, as it is often referred to, is not totally clear, it is believed that free radical damage plays a role, as it does in other age-related diseases. Free radicals cause...

Did you know that the lack of antioxidants and overexposure to sunlight might cause eye diseases as you age? This may sound absurd to you at first, but this is factual and based on scientific evidence. Read the rest of this article to find out how you can stay protected as you grow older. Based on the study conducted by the EUREYE, under the supervision of renowned epidemiology professor Astrid Fletcher, there is indeed a significant correlation between the lack of antioxidants and overexposure to sunlight and eye diseases. In fact, they have already published this in the journal Archives of Ophthalmology when they ascertained this important correlation and even the development of AMD or advanced...

Why Quit Smoking? Every cigarette you smoke is causing damage to your vision. Macular degeneration and smoking have many health implications for the eyes. Smoking causes vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) which affects the blood supply to the eye and increases your blood pressure which is also a risk factor for macular degeneration. Smoking enhances the generation of free radicals which causes cellular damage. Smoking decreases the levels of antioxidants (which protect against free radical damage) in the blood circulation, the aqueous humor (the clear liquid between the cornea and the lens) and the tissue surrounding the eye and retina. Smoking causes a reduction in macular pigment...

There is a new way to treat macular degeneration that is being used extensively today all over the world. Microcurrent macular degeneration techniques are proving to be quite effective in the treatment of this age-related disease. The process works quite simply: cutaneous electrodes are used to stimulate the nerve fibers of the eye. This process has proven to be very effective in treating older patients. It also helps relive the pain often associated with the disease. Using microcurrent technology to treat age-related macular degeneration has helped improve the vision of many older people. Aging causes arteriosclerotic degeneration as people age. The macula during the aging process requires oxygen...

Truth be told: there is a huge variety of eye conditions that people tend to suffer from. Although many of these can be corrected early on with proper medical intervention (corrective glasses, surgery, pharmaceutical products,) some conditions are brought on by the onset of advanced age. In which case, very little corrective measures can be given. Age-related macular degeneration or AMD is one such condition. According to the stats, there is a growing number of elderly suffering from AMD yearly; about 9% of the present population is already afflicted. And there are projections that in 5 years time, that number might double. But what is macular degeneration - can it be cured? In order to fully...

New methods of treatment are emerging to fight macular degeneration which is one of the leading causes of severe vision loss in adults in the US and the developed world. The new drugs include Macugen from Pfizer/Eyetech, Retaane from Alcon, Kenalog and Lucentis. Macugen (Pegaptanib Sodium) is a new novel drug that targets the body?s destructive signals that cause abnormal blood vessels to grow. This drug works by targeting the protein involved in the growth of abnormal blood vessels. A doctor injects this drug into the vitreous fluid in the eye after numbing it. Macugen stops the formation of new blood vessels and decreases leakage from existing blood vessels. This treatment is repeated every six...

Macular degeneration is a condition that affects the macular within the retina of the eye. Blurry vision as well as a dark spot over the eyes vision is common as the disease progresses. Many people do not initially recognize that their vision is being affected because their other eye makes up for the lack of vision in the damaged eye or degenerated eye. This condition does not have a known cause and it tends to affect people over the age of 60 and is most likely the result of aging as there is no known cause at this time. There are two types of macular degeneration: dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration is also known as nonvascular and wet macular degeneration is known as vascular degeneration. Dry...

If you are 50 years old or older and you are experiencing any loss of vision, it is highly probable that you have age-related degeneration, also known as ARMD. As you get older and the arteries to your retina began to harden, there is an increase in the likelihood that you have this eye disorder. Your retinal tissue needs oxygen and nutrients to function properly and without these essential elements, you will experience deterioration of your central (not peripheral) vision. In severe cases, your ability to drive will be greatly limited. Dry macular is one type that can occur in older individuals. There seems to be many things that can cause this disorder. These include such things as aging...