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SUNDAY, Feb. 6, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Early diagnosis and care can often stop the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is ... it may be a sign of AMD. Or you can use an Amsler grid, which has black lines on a white piece of ...
What is macular degeneration and how can you treat it?
Macular degeneration treatment is possible in the form of medications like anti-VEGF therapy to prevent the further damage to your eye but that just slows the destruction of the eye.
Is it possible to cure macular degeneration?
Macular Degeneration: Timeline of Vision Loss Progression
- The Pathology of AMD. AMD impacts part of the retina called the macula, causing irreversible deterioration, which can result in visual distortions and may eventually cause vision loss.
- Vision Loss Timeline. ...
- Early-Stage AMD. ...
- Intermediate-Stage AMD. ...
- Late-Stage AMD. ...
How early can you get macular degeneration?
- Wear sunglasses. “The sun-related diseases people develop are not related to the vacation they had last week,” said Krauss. ...
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat. Wearing a broad-brimmed hat can be beneficial at keeping some sunlight out of your eyes, said Pierce. ...
- Don’t smoke. ...
- Eat a nutritious diet. ...
- Keep up with your medication. ...
- Exercise. ...
- Test yourself. ...
How to avoid macular degeneration naturally?
Which is worse wet or dry macular degeneration?
Wet macular degeneration is more serious and is the leading cause of permanent central vision loss. Though the dry type is less serious, it can lead to the wet type if not monitored closely by a doctor.
Can dry macular degeneration be reversed?
Medical treatments No treatments can reverse macular degeneration, but some can help prevent the condition from worsening. The treatment for this condition varies according to the stage and type. However, there is currently no method to help with early-stage macular degeneration.
What does a person with dry macular degeneration see?
In very late stage dry macular degeneration, macula cells begin to die, and large portions of the center of vision may become blurred. People at this stage may have blind spots as well as some areas that appear wavy or distorted.
Is there anything new for dry macular degeneration?
There is currently no treatment for geographic atrophy — the “dry” form of macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in the U.S. and worldwide. Now a new study has shown that the drug pegcetacoplan can significantly slow the disease.
Do you go blind with dry macular degeneration?
Dry macular degeneration can affect one or both eyes. If only one eye is affected, you may not notice any changes in your vision because your good eye may compensate for the weak eye. And the condition doesn't affect side (peripheral) vision, so it rarely causes total blindness.
How long does it take for dry macular degeneration to cause blindness?
On average, it takes about 10 years to move from diagnosis to legal blindness, but there are some forms of macular degeneration that can cause sight loss in just days. So, please contact us right away if you begin to experience symptoms.
What foods should be avoided with macular degeneration?
Foods to avoid with macular degenerationProcessed foods that contain trans fats.Tropical oils, like palm oil (use vitamin E–rich safflower and corn oil instead)Lard and vegetable shortening, and margarine.High-fat dairy foods (eggs in moderation are a good source of eye-healthy nutrients)Fatty beef, pork and lamb.
How do you prevent macular degeneration from getting worse?
Ways to prevent age-related macular degeneration:Quit smoking. “Rules 1, 2 and 3 are stop smoking,” says Rosenthal. ... Know your family history. ... Eat leafy greens. ... Take supplements. ... Wear sunglasses. ... Maintain a healthy blood pressure and weight. ... Test yourself with an Amsler grid.
Do you see wavy lines with dry macular degeneration?
People with macular degeneration may see wavy lines instead of straight ones in the center of their field of vision, or objects may appear blurry. They may have trouble reading or see geometric shapes.
Do eye injections help dry macular degeneration?
Monthly injections may be able to halt the progression of dry age-related macular degeneration. Clinical trials in the UK, Europe and the US, are investigating whether new drugs injected into the eye can preserve sight by slowing the spread of the disease.
Can you drive with dry macular degeneration?
As the disease progresses, the blind spots will grow larger, and eventually lead to a total loss of central vision. As a result, your ability to drive safely may no longer be possible. If you have been diagnosed with macular degeneration, contact an eye doctor near you, who can discuss the best options.
Can dry macular become wet?
Any stage of dry AMD can turn into wet AMD — but wet AMD is always late stage. It happens when abnormal blood vessels grow in the back of the eye and damage the macula.
Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes
The risk factors for macular degeneration are similar to those of heart disease and stroke. 2 For this reason, lifestyle changes that benefit your heart may also benefit your vision. Lifestyle modifications to consider include: 3
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Therapies
The Age-Related Eye Diseases Study (AREDS) suggests specific dietary modifications, including include taking specific vitamins and minerals, can slow dry macular degeneration. It identified specific vitamins and minerals that can reduce the risk of developing advanced dry macular degeneration by 25%. 5 These include: 3
Surgeries and Specialist-Driven Procedures
As of now, there are no surgeries that can cure dry AMD. There are, however, ways to cope as the condition progresses, and scientists are investigating new treatments for dry AMD.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
A few alternative therapies that have been studied to treat or slow down dry AMD disease are: 9
Summary
Dry macular degeneration causes central vision loss. Right now, there's no treatment that can cure it. However, there are lifestyle changes you can make to slow or prevent disease progression if you have dry AMD.
A Word From Verywell
A diagnosis of dry macular degeneration can be overwhelming. Understanding available treatments, expert resources, and methods to manage dry AMD are important to learning to live and maintain personal independence with dry AMD.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no known treatment for dry AMD. However, certain lifestyle changes can be made to slow or stop the progression of dry AMD, such as quitting smoking, consuming a diet low in saturated fats, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing your blood pressure.
How to prevent macular degeneration?
Choose a healthy diet that's full of a variety of fruits and vegetables. These foods contain antioxidant vitamins that reduce your risk of developing macular degeneration. Include fish in your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish, may reduce the risk of macular degeneration.
What is the difference between dry and wet macular degeneration?
It can progress to wet (neovascular) macular degeneration, which is characterized by blood vessels that grow under the retina and leak. The dry type is more common, but it usually progresses slowly (over years). The wet type is more likely to cause a relatively sudden change in vision resulting in serious vision loss.
What is the condition that affects the macula?
The condition develops as the eye ages. Dry macular degeneration affects the macula — an area of the retina that's responsible for clear vision in your direct line of sight. Over time, tissue in your macula may thin and lose cells responsible for vision.
What is the macula?
The macula is the part of the retina responsible for clear vision in your direct line of sight. Dry macular degeneration may first develop in one or both eyes and then affect both eyes. Over time, your vision may worsen and affect your ability to do things, such as read, drive and recognize faces.
Where is the macula located?
Located at the back of your eye in the center of your retina, a healthy macula allows for normal central vision acuity. The macula is made up of densely packed light-sensitive cells called cones and rods. Cones are responsible for color vision, and rods enable you to see shades of gray.
Does smoking cause macular degeneration?
Smoking cigarettes or being regularly exposed to smoke significantly increases your risk of macular degeneration. Obesity. Research indicates that being obese may increase your chance that early or intermediate macular degeneration will progress to the more severe form of the disease. Cardiovascular disease.
What vitamins are good for macular degeneration?
Vitamin supplementation: Patients with intermediate or advanced macular degeneration taking a high-dose formulation of antioxidants can help reduce the risk of vision loss. Unfortunately, those in early stages of the condition do not benefit from these supplements. The following vitamins and dosages are recommended: 1 Vitamin C – 500mg 2 Vitamin E – 400IU (international units) 3 Lutein – 10 mg 4 Zeaxanthin – 2 mg 5 Zinc (as zinc oxide) – 25 or 80 mg 6 Copper (as cupric oxide) – 2 mg
What is the macula?
The macula is the part of the eye responsible for clear vision directly in your line of site. Therefore, degeneration or deterioration of the macula can lead to blurry or reduced central vision. It can affect one or both eyes and can even worsen vision ...
How to keep your eyesight long?
Most of the home remedies recommended act as preventative measures to help you keep your sight as long as possible. Don’t smoke: Smoking is considered a risk factor for dry macular degeneration development, so by quitting the habit, you’re helping preserve your vision further.
What are some supplements that slow down eye progression?
In some cases, they help to slow down progression as well. Zinc supplementation helps in this regard. Vitamins rich in anti-oxidants such as A, C, and E are also beneficial. Beta-carotene: A commonly promoted attribute of carrots, beta-carotene can also be useful for promoting eye health.
How to stop smoking in the eye?
Choose a healthy diet: Foods that contain antioxidants help to prevent damage to the sensitive structures in the eye. Several fruits and vegetables help to protect eye health. Some of these foods include kale, spinach, broccoli, and peas.
How to improve vision in both eyes?
Surgery: Selected individuals with significant vision impairment in both eyes may require this form of treatment. Surgically implanting a telescopic lens into the eye can help magnify field of vision. This surgery can help improve both distance and close-up vision but has a very narrow field of view.
Can dry macular degeneration affect peripheral vision?
Most people with dry macular degeneration don’t lose all of their sight, but instead, their sight is severely compromised. The condition only affects central vision while sparing peri pheral vision. Knowing what the best dry macular degeneration treatments can give you the tools to better preserve your vision.
What is the treatment for macular degeneration?
One such therapy uses anti-VEGF drugs.
How many forms of macular degeneration are there?
There are two forms of macular degeneration. The dry form is the most common, according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, as it represents about 90 percent of the cases of macular degeneration.
What is the yellow drusen?
This form of macular degeneration involves yellow deposits (known as drusen) sitting beneath the macula, causing thinning and dying of that vital tissue. This process takes time, and people may experience a slow and gradual deterioration of their ability to see things in the middle of the visual field. People with the wet form of macular ...
What happens when a laser is used on the eye?
This is considered a revolutionary form of therapy, according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, as the laser used is not likely to damage healthy parts of the eye.
What is the macula made of?
The macula is made up of sensitive tissues that rely on a mix of nutrients to stay healthy. An optimal diet can help to provide those cells with the nutrition they need, but many people simply don't eat a diet that is rich in the right types of ingredients to help the eyes stay healthy . Vitamin supplements may help to fill the gap.
Why do we need to use healthy parts of the macula when viewing an image?
More retinal cells are exposed to the light moving through the eye, which allows undamaged cells to take over for their damaged counterparts.
What is the retina?
The retina perceives images that move through the eye, and the retina transforms those images into electrical signals that can be processed by the brain. At the very center of the retina is the macula, and it's responsible for our ability to see things at the center of our vision.
Diagnosis
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Even after receiving a diagnosis of dry macular degeneration, you can take steps that may help slow vision loss. 1. Don't smoke.If you smoke, ask your doctor for help to quit. 2. Choose a healthy diet. The antioxidant vitamins in fruits and vegetables contribute to eye health. Kale, spinach, broccoli, squash and other vegetables have high levels of antioxidants, including lutein and zeax…
Coping and Support
- These tips may help you cope with your changing vision: 1. Ask your eye doctor to check your eyeglass prescription.If you wear contacts or glasses, be sure your prescription is up to date. If new glasses don't help, ask for a referral to a low vision specialist. 2. Use magnifiers. A variety of magnifying devices can help you with reading and other close-up work, such as sewing. Such de…
Preparing For Your Appointment
- To check for macular degeneration, a dilated eye exam is necessary. Make an appointment with a doctor who specializes in eye care — an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. He or she can perform a complete eye exam.
Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes
Over-The-Counter (OTC) Therapies
Surgeries and Specialist-Driven Procedures
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Summary
A Word from Verywell
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best treatment for dry macular degeneration?
There is no known treatment for dry AMD. However, certain lifestyle changes can be made to slow or stop the progression of dry AMD, such as quitting smoking, consuming a diet low in saturated fats, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing your blood pressure. Certain vitamins and min… - Where can I find medical experts in the treatment of dry macular degeneration?
Eye specialists like optometrists and ophthalmologists can treat dry AMD. An ophthalmologist is a physician who has completed medical school and then completed eight years of residency training. Ophthalmologists are licensed to practice both medicine and surgery. An optometrist h…
Overview
Symptoms
Causes
Risk Factors
Complications
Prevention