Macular Degeneration

Did you know that macular degeneration is the number 1 cause of blindness in America?  This incurable eye disease affects people aged 55 and over, gradually deteriorating their vision and leading to total loss of vision.

Macular degeneration is a pernicious disease that harms more people each year than cataracts and glaucoma combined.

What is macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration is the deterioration of the center part of the retina.  The retina is the inside back layer of the eye.  It records images the eye sees, and transmits them to the brain through the optic nerve.

The macula, the center of the retina, focuses central vision in the eye.  It is this focus of central vision that enables you to see objects in fine detail, to read, to drive, even to recognize faces and colors.  Thus macular degeneration can rob a sufferer of the entire world, a piece at a time.

The specific genetic or environmental effects that lead to macular degeneration are currently unknown.  Lack of public awareness, funding and research regarding macular degeneration have functionally reduced our abilities to treat the disease.

Symptoms of macular degeneration

Symptoms include:

Slightly blurred vision

A blurred spot in the center of the vision, which may become larger and darker (so-called dry macular degeneration)

Straight lines that appear wavy, and rapid loss of central vision, or a sudden blind spot (so-called wet macular degeneration)

Treating macular degeneration

Treatment options are currently quite limited.  Your doctor may prescribe a course of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). 

The drug thalidomide is currently being investigated for macular degeneration treatment.

Surgical therapies include laser surgery, photodynamic therapy and vitrectomy.

Macular degeneration prevention

Antioxidants that offer retinal protection may delay or prevent macular degeneration.  These antioxidants include Vitamins C and E, carotenoids (including lutien and zeaxanthin), selenium and zinc.

Flavinoids also might help prevent macular degeneration.  Adults with a moderate red wine consumption have a better chance of experiencing less serious bouts of macular degeneration.  Dark-colored berries are also high in flavinoids.

Omega-3 oils, ginkgo, billberry and grapeseed are all recommended to help prevent or delay the onset of macular degeneration.

So have a glass of red wine, eat your fish and blueberries tonight!