Eye Care Blog

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease associated with aging that gradually destroys sharp, central vision, which is needed for seeing objects clearly and for common daily tasks such as reading and driving. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels behind the retina start to grow under the macula. These new blood vessels tend to be very fragile and often leak blood and fluid, and if effective treatments are not taken to stop any further bleeding in the macular, damage to the macula occurs rapidly.

The symptoms of wet AMD may include straight lines or faces appear wavy; doorways seeming crooked; and a central blurry or blind spot, etc..

Is there any treatments for wet AMD? Strictly speaking, there is no real cure for wet AMD, but treatments to stop or slow the progression of this disease. That is to say, the disease and loss of vision may progress despite treatment. The usual treatments to ease off wet AMD include:

1. Laser surgery. For the reason that treatments for wet AMD can not cure macular degeneration, nor restore lost vision, the procedure by laser is just done by destroy the fragile blood vessels, preventing further loss of vision. However, while the laser destroy the blood vessels, some healthy tissue will also be destroyed at the same time. Another kind of laser surgery is performed by injecting with a light-sensitive medicine called verteporfin to destroy abnormal blood vessels in the retina, slowing the progression of wet macular degeneration.

2. Drug treatment. Wet AMD can also be treated with new drugs that are injected into the eye (anti-VEGF therapy) to promote the development of the leaky, immature blood vessels and block the effects of the growth factor.

3. Acupuncture therapy. This is a traditional Chinese treatment by using a fine needles to stimulate invisible lines of energy or what Chinese usually call Qi so as to correct the flow of Qi beneath the surface of the skin. Qi in Chinese culture is considered fairly important in the maintenance of good good health, therefore once the Qi is changed correctly, the function of the body can be changed as well.

4. Physical therapy. This procedure applies the use of microcurrent stimulation to improve circulation to the retina by delivering low-intensity electricity to the eye area. With the microcurrent stimulation, harmful waste products are believed to be removed.

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Macular degeneration is one of the common eye diseases that bother a large number of people worldwide and it is especially common among aging people. However, people do not know much about this eye disorder. The following will give a brief introduction on macular degeneration on its definition, causes and main types in the hope that it will give people more understanding of this eye disease.

Macular degeneration refers to the lost of the central portion of the sight. Patients with macular degeneration will have to suffer from peripheral or side vision. For example, the things right in front of you will be like the face of a person or the words in a book. Though this is not blindness, it can never be neglected.

Then what causes macular degeneration? There are three layers below the retina, which are the retinal pigment epithelium (PRE), bruch’s membrane and the choroi. Their function is to transmit nutrients and oxygen to the rods and cones, and also remove the built-up waste. But for people with macular degeneration, these three layers lose their functions so that less nutrients and oxygen can be transmitted to the cells and wastes gathers. Cone cells are the primary cells for macula, which plays the role of clear vision, color distinguishing and central vision. That is to say, without them, we can not see clearly of small details, or distinguish similar colors. Just imagine if cone cells can not get enough nutrients and oxygen and more wastes build up, what they will be? Yes, cone cells will begin to die. As a result, people will lose their clear and central vision.

About the categories of macular degeneration, there are usually three main types: The first is dry macular degeneration (dry AMD). This is mainly related to age. Among all the age related macular degeneration, dry AMD is the most common one. It has the feature of more gradual vision loss rather than severe vision loss. Besides, there is also another macular degeneration, called wet macular degeneration (wet AMD). Compared with dry AMD, the central vision loss of wet AMD is more sudden. Though it is not as common as dry AMD, we should also pay close attention as dry AMD can also transfer to wet AMD. The last main macular degeneration is juvenile macular degeneration (JMD), which is also known as macular dystrophy. This is mainly caused by genetic diseases and can be detected in people’s childhood or adolescence.

More info

Types and treatments of macular degeneration

Factors associated with macular degeneration

New discoveries of macular degeneration

Scotoma can be caused by many factors, such as macular degeneration, strokes, traumatic brain injuries and disorders, which affect the retina or optic nerve. The most common form of blind spot is central scotoma, which is closely associated with macular degeneration.

Actually, macular degeneration is the most dangerous factor of scotoma, although other conditions listed above all affect the retina or the optic nerve. Central blind spot caused by macular degeneration is quite understandable. In the back of the retina, macula is responsible for central vision. However, macular degeneration can cause the photoreceptor cells or cone cells in the eye to die, which results in central blind spot.

In some cases, a central scotoma may enlarge as the macular degeneration progresses. Besides a spot in the central vision, a central scotoma has other symptoms such as need for more light, and contrast, difficulty perceiving certain colors and so on. These symptoms can be quite disabling and frustrating for some people. In serious cases, one’s independence can be affected by this retinal disease.

Most people suffering from central scotoma have to use their peripheral vision during most tasks. The formal term eccentric viewing is used to describe this special viewing way. A person using eccentric viewing always looks slightly away from an object in order to take use of his or her peripheral vision, rather than the defected central vision. In this way, the damaged cone cells do nothing but the rod cells can perform peripheral vision effectively.

In some instances, rod cells can be trained to perform some tasks that belong to cone cells in a person without central scotoma. These functions include detailed vision and color perception. But only with proper training, lots of practice as well as the appropriate visual aids can the rod cells acquire these functions. This process also requires the brain to learn new techniques and ways of seeing the world.

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Macular degeneration in old people always causes poor vision or even visual loss. As the disease progresses over time, visual aids are probably needed, in order to maintain daily pleasures such as reading, playing cards, baking, watching movies and so on. There are a wide variety of gadgets and tools such as magnifiers, bright lights, bold print books and so forth.

Magnifiers are most widely accepted by macular degeneration patients. Styles of magnifiers include floor lamp magnifiers, pocket magnifiers, electronic magnifiers and reading ones. These different magnifiers suit different tasks and also require different ways to use them. The power of magnifier is essential to offer proper vision aid.

Another form of magnifier is computer screen magnifier. This magnifier can enlarge the print on computer screen. There are still other ways to reduce computer glare and increase the contrast.

Electronic reading device can read books, magazines, newspapers and blogs. This kind of device has embedded speech converter. With this help, old people can continue to enjoy books, periodicals and newspapers.

Some old people are reluctant to give up their phones. Currently some special designs of phone are available. Some of them have large buttons, while some others can display a picture of the person to be called.

Another type of low vision aid is low vision CCTV (closed circuit television), which allows people to see recipe cards, photographs, mail, prescription bottles and so forth. Some of them also offer mirrors for a better shave.

Patients with macular degeneration usually need increased lighting. This simplest way of visual aid is often underestimated. Ott lighting is capable of simulating natural day light. It can also enhance contrast, reduce glare and provide better clarity. Another way is to install more lamps or brighter bulbs.

In addition to those devices or tools described above, large print books in 16 point font are helpful for macular degeneration patients. These special books usually offer dark and crisp letters.

more info

·Optical and non-optical vision aids for reading

·Computer-based low vision aids