Macular Degeneration

One of the leading causes of blindness for people 55 years and older is a condition called macular degeneration.

2010-10-02

SEATTLE, WA, October 02, 2010 (Press-News.org) One of the leading causes of blindness for people 55 years and older is a condition called macular degeneration. Nearly ten million people in the U.S. are affected by it. This is more than those blinded by glaucoma and cataracts combined. Macular degeneration is gradual and painless that many may not realize they have unless they have been screened by an experienced ophthalmologist.

Causes of Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is caused by the cells in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) wearing out. The retina has a layer of cells behind it called the macula. The cells of the macula are made up of rods and cones, and are in turn made up of two segments. The inner segment produces proteins that respond to light, while the outer segment stores and uses the proteins. When the outer segment wears out, they are removed by RPE cells. The inner segment then replaces the degraded outer segment cells. When the RPE cells begin to degrade and cannot remove waste anymore, the result is yellow, fat-like deposits that form below the rods and cones.

Symptoms of Macular Degeneration
Symptoms include:
- Fuzzy or distorted vision
- Areas of shadow in central vision
- Blurred printed words
- Difficulty recognizing faces
- Difficulty adapting to seeing in levels of low light
- Need for very bright light for near distance vision activities
- Difficulty recognizing faces

Treatment of Macular Degeneration
No treatment can undo the damage done by AMD, but there are certain things you can do to slowdown the progress of the disease. Early stage AMD may be slowed by a high dose regimen of vitamin supplements. These are:
- 500 mg of vitamin C
- 400 IU of vitamin E
- 80 mg of zinc oxide
- 15 mg of beta carotene
- 2 mg of copper

Advanced stage AMD may be slowed by taking the drugs Lucentis, Macugen, or Visudyne. Speak to your ophthalmologist about which regimen may benefit you the most.

If you or a loved one is suffering from macular degeneration in the Seattle or Olympia, Washington area, please visit the website of Bellevue LASIK & Cornea today at www.bellevue-lasik.com.

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