| While the quest in searching for the cure of | | | | sure that there are no additional blood leakage in |
| macular degeneration is on going. Many national | | | | the area. An additional laser treatment maybe |
| eye centers are investigating new ways to treat | | | | performed if a problem was observed. |
| the said illness. There are different options in | | | | Macular degeneration is a medical condition |
| managing macular degeneration as the illness has | | | | resulting to loss of vision making it difficult to read |
| two types. The wet form which usually results to | | | | and recognize faces. To better understand the |
| loss of vision due to no reliable treatment yet to | | | | patient's condition, print out some letters six |
| be developed and the dry form accounting 90% | | | | inches high and try to identify them while looking |
| of cases can still be managed and controlled if | | | | it at straight ahead. Hold the paper slightly to the |
| diagnosed at an early stage and by eating the | | | | side. This visual impairment does not lead to total |
| right food rich in vitamins A, C, E and other | | | | blindness and in most cases some vision remains. |
| supplements such as zeaxanthine and zinc - | | | | This disease mostly affects older and adults 50 |
| proven to be effective in slowing down the | | | | years old and above. In a recent study for |
| disease | | | | macular degeneration it was found out that those |
| Here are some optional treatments available for | | | | patients aging sixty six to seventy four suffer |
| patients having the wet form of macular | | | | from this illness. Mostly women are prone to |
| degeneration. First is Photodynamic therapy which | | | | macular degeneration compare to men and |
| uses a combination of both cold laser and | | | | smokers of any gender are also part of the |
| light-sensitive drug destroying abnormal blood | | | | growing list as tobacco increase the risk in three |
| vessels as the drug travels to the unwanted | | | | folds due to the toxic effects in retina. It is even |
| vessels after it was injected from the arm. | | | | 50% risky for those who have relatives with |
| Another option is Laser therapy where high | | | | muscular degeneration to develop the illness |
| energy lights are used to destroy abnormal | | | | compare to those who doesn't have with only |
| growing blood vessels. | | | | 12% probability. Caucasians are more prone to |
| The Cole eye institute is conducting experimental | | | | develop macular degeneration compare to other |
| treatments such as a surgery to remove | | | | races. |
| abnormal blood vessels and blood. A genetically | | | | Other than age and family history, there are |
| engineered enzyme is used by the surgeon to | | | | factors that cause macular degeneration. These |
| dissolve blood clots under the macula. Another | | | | includes hypertension or commonly known as high |
| procedure is called Macular translocation.This is | | | | blood pressure, obesity, and high fat intake. |
| performed using a laser therapy to treat | | | | Ophthalmologists diagnose macular degeneration |
| abnormal blood vessel. To prevent the formation | | | | by looking at the abnormal vessels under the |
| of scar tissue and damage to retina, the surgeon | | | | retina. A dye is injected in the arm of the patient |
| rotates the retina in a healthy area. | | | | where pictures are taken by a special camera until |
| The healing process may take three to six | | | | it reaches the eye. Any changes in the retina as |
| weeks. The doctor may request for an | | | | shown from the photographs taken will serve as |
| angiogram after the macular surgery to make | | | | a guide for treatment. |