| Macular degeneration is one of the most frequent | | | | Wet macular degeneration starts with new blood |
| causes of impaired vision in the UK. This painless | | | | vessels growing in the retina. The new blood |
| eye condition is common among people above | | | | vessels can leak blood, causing the retina to lift |
| the age of 50. According to a report published by | | | | away from the eye wall and in turn severely |
| National Health Service (NHS) in 2008, | | | | damaging the person's vision. Eyesight destroyed |
| approximately 30% of individuals above the age | | | | in this way cannot be repaired. |
| of 75 were suffering from the preliminary stage | | | | Macular degeneration is a rare phenomenon at a |
| of macular degeneration and 7% had crossed to | | | | lower age. In younger people, this problem can |
| the advanced stages. According to one estimate, | | | | surface due to some physical defects existing |
| more than 239,000 people will be affected by | | | | since birth. Inherited genetic disorders can also |
| age-related macular degeneration by 2011. | | | | lead to macular degeneration among younger |
| What is Macular Degeneration? | | | | people. |
| Dry macular degeneration is an eye condition that | | | | Macular Degeneration: Major Symptoms |
| leads to the loss of vision from the centre of the | | | | Similar to diabetic retinopathy, macular |
| retina, which we use to view fine detail. It means | | | | degeneration starts showing measurable |
| that a person suffering from severe macular | | | | symptoms at a very advanced stage. The two |
| degeneration may not be able to read, write or | | | | major symptoms of this visual defect are: |
| drive. To perform all these activities, we focus | | | | - Loss of ability to judge the fine details of an |
| our vision through the central portion of the | | | | object or image. |
| retina, which is called the macula. This is what | | | | - Loss of ability to understand contrast variation. |
| enables us to focus on and view subjects that | | | | Specific symptoms of dry macular degeneration |
| are directly in front of our eyes. The degeneration | | | | are hazy vision, the inability to identify faces, need |
| of the macula does not affect peripheral vision or | | | | for brighter light when reading and difficulty in |
| side vision as severely. | | | | reading the newspaper. Wet macular degeneration |
| Wet macular degeneration is caused by abnormal | | | | patients will experience more evident symptoms, |
| blood vessels growing which then leak. This can | | | | such as major visual distortion and blind spots. |
| force the retina to lift away from the eye wall, | | | | There are several vision correction methods |
| which then can cause swelling and affect the | | | | available to control wet macular degeneration. For |
| person's eyesight. A common symptom for a | | | | dry AMD, control is usually effected by changing |
| sufferer of wet AMD is to see straight lines | | | | to a healthier diet and lifestyle, such as cutting out |
| appearing wavy. This needs a trip to the doctor | | | | smoking and reducing fat intake. To detect |
| immediately as eyesight lost through wet AMD | | | | macular degeneration at an early stage, consult an |
| cannot be retrieved. | | | | eye doctor immediately if experiencing changes in |
| Causes of Macular Degeneration | | | | eyesight. |
| Macular degeneration commonly affects people | | | | For more information on macular degeneration |
| above 50 years of age. Different health conditions | | | | treatment, browse the internet for specialist eye |
| lead to different forms of macular degeneration. | | | | hospitals. Their websites can provide detailed |
| As a person grows older, wear and tear affects | | | | information on the symptoms and treatment |
| the body, especially if the owner has a poor diet | | | | available. Look for a specialist provider of |
| of high cholesterol combined with smoking and | | | | ophthalmic services. Make sure they focus on |
| high blood pressure. Physical changes may occur in | | | | personalised treatment tailored to each of their |
| the central retinal tissue, the macular, and the | | | | patients as you'll want to ensure the best possible |
| rods and cones (or photoreceptors) begin to | | | | results in an environment where you can feel |
| break down, resulting in deteriorating eyesight. As | | | | relaxed and well cared for. They should also be |
| this worsens, central vision becomes hazy or | | | | using advanced technologies and have leading |
| blurred. This is called dry macular degeneration. | | | | ophthalmic surgeons on their staff. |