MAIN Health Eye Care Macular Degeneration

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The macula is the central portion of the retina that is responsible for our sharpest vision, allowing us to read fine print or perform intricate handwork like stitching or sewing.

As we age, the cells of the macula and retina begin to break down and can no longer send normal signals of light throught the optic nerve to the brain. The result is blurred vision, often an early sign of a condition known as macular degeneration.

The major cause of severe vision loss in people over 60 macular degeneration comes in two forms:

Dry form - In the mild dry form, aging spots appear in the macula and vision slowly deteriorates. The damage can vary greatly, however, because some people can have the condition for years and still have fairlly good vision.

Rollover to see how a person with age-related macular degeneration views the world...

Wet form - In the more severe wet form, abnormal blood cells grow under the retina and macula, a condition known as angiogenesis. As these blood vessels bleed or leak, central vision becomes distorted and vision loss is usually rapid and severe. Patients usually report a dark spot in their central line of vision and, because the macula is no longer smooth and straight, straight lines appear wavy.

Up until quite recently, there was little that could be done for the majority of patients with for the most severe form of macular degeneration. New drugs, however, are now available that check the growth of abnormal blood vessels and can actually reverse the effects of macular degeneration.

These new drugs, usually injected directly into the eye, include Lucentis (ranibizumab), Avastin (bevacizumab) and Macugen (pegaptanib).

Elsewhere on the Web, find out more about the disease with additional facts & information on its symptoms, risk factors, alternative therapies and new treatments giving new hope to those living with macular degeneration ....

Macular degeneration - Excellent guide from the Mayo Clinic with a brief overview and detailed information on signs & symptoms, causes, risk factors, when to seek medical advice, diagnosis, treatments including new drugs and traditional surgical procedures plus more on complementary & alternative remedies.

Macular Degeneration Network - Comprehensive large-type patient information including guides to wet vs. dry AMD, current drug treatments & surgical procedures, nutrition and other preventative measures, FAQ, glossary of terms.

Macular Degeneration Drug Adds Vision - 2006 news story on a New England Journal of Medicine report on clinical outcomes for two new drugs, Lucentis and Avastin, and their benefits in treating age-related macular degeneration, with information on typical costs for treatment.

Macular Degeneration Partnership : Nutrition - Extensive overview of alternative therapies suggested by research studies showing benefits of antioxidants vitamins E, C, and A,
lutein and zeaxanthin, with a related table of good food sources, recipes, plus other tips and advice for decreasing risk.

AMD and Depression - Good discussion on symptoms of depression found in patients with age-related macular degeneration, how it can be treated, plus information on practical ways to cope and find support, with personal accounts of others who have dealt with the disease.

This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice.
All treatment decisions should be made by medical professionals.