| Despite macular degeneration being one of the | | | | There is no form of treatment that is known to |
| leading causes of partial blindness in the United | | | | stop the progression of dry macular degeneration, |
| States, the causes of this disease are not very | | | | although vitamin supplements are often prescribed. |
| well known. Some of the risk factors that are | | | | Once the retinal tissues are affected, little can be |
| determined are related to genetic links within | | | | done to stop its slow progression. |
| families, excessive exposure to ultra-violet rays | | | | Wet macular degeneration has been controlled |
| from the sun, smoking and hypertension among | | | | through laser treatments, provided it is performed |
| other causes. The condition is relatively more | | | | at an early stage of the condition. The laser |
| common in women and people with blue or light | | | | treatment seals the leaking blood vessels closed, |
| colored eyes. | | | | halting the damage inflicted upon the retina. Laser |
| Diagnostic tests for Macular Degeneration include | | | | photocoagulation also helps some people with wet |
| acuity tests which measures the accuracy of the | | | | macular degeneration but it does not restore lost |
| central vision at specific distances in specific | | | | vision. Treatments for age-related macular |
| lighting situations. The Amsler Grid test checks for | | | | degeneration are very limited and laser treatment |
| spots of sight loss. Color tests help to determine | | | | is the only proven treatment which stops age |
| the status of the cone cells, the retinal cells that | | | | related macular degeneration. |
| interpret color. The Fluorescein Angiogram test | | | | Even though the treatments for macular |
| allows a doctor to visualize the inner structure of | | | | degeneration are not always successful, there are |
| the eye. Photos are taken of the retina and the | | | | a lot of new treatments coming up to increase |
| macula so as to identify new blood vessel growth | | | | the success rates of cures. |
| and leakage from blood vessels. | | | | |