Description

Dry macular degeneration is an eye condition that causes blurred or reduced central vision. It is caused by the rupture of a part of the retina known as the macula (MAK-u-luh). The macula is responsible for central vision. This condition is common among people over the age of 50 years.

Dry macular degeneration can begin in one eye, then develop in the other eye. It can also develop in both eyes at the same time. Over time, your vision may worsen and affect your ability to do things, such as read, drive and recognize faces. But have dry macular degeneration does not mean that you will lose all your eyes. The loss of vision is typically central, and the people retain their side vision. Some people have only a slight loss of central vision. In others, it can be more severe.

The early detection and self-care measures can slow the loss of vision caused by dry macular degeneration.

Symptoms

Dry macular degeneration symptoms usually develop gradually and without pain. They may include:

  • Visual distortions, such as straight lines apparent bent.
  • Reduced central vision in one or both eyes.
  • The need for brighter light when reading or doing the work.
  • Increasing the difficulty of adapting to low levels of light, as when entering in a dim restaurant or a theatre.
  • The increasing blurriness of printed words.
  • Difficulty recognizing faces.
  • A well-defined blurry spot or blind spot in your field of vision.

Dry macular degeneration can affect one or both eyes. If only one eye is affected, you may not notice any change in your vision. This is due to his good eye, can compensate the affected eye. And the condition does not affect side vision, so it doesn't cause total blindness.

Dry macular degeneration is one of the two types of macular degeneration. You can progress to the wet macular degeneration, which is when the blood vessels grow and leak under the retina. 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 severe loss of vision.

When to see a doctor

See your eye doctor if:

  • Observed changes, such as the distortion or blind spots in your central vision.
  • You lose the ability to see the details.

These changes may be the first sign of macular degeneration, especially if you have more than 60 years of age.

Causes

No one knows exactly what causes dry macular degeneration. The research suggests that it may be a combination of genes and other factors, such as smoking, obesity and diet.

The condition develops as the eye ages. Dry macular degeneration affects the macula. The macula is the area of the retina responsible for clear vision in your direct line of vision. Over time, the tissues of the macula can lose weight and lose the cells responsible for vision.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of macular degeneration include:

  • Age. This disease is more common in people older than 50 years.
  • Family history and genetics. This disease has a hereditary component, which means that it runs in families. Researchers have identified several genes associated with the condition.
  • Of the race. Macular degeneration is more common in white people.
  • The habit of smoking. Smoking or being exposed to tobacco smoke on a regular basis greatly increases the risk of macular degeneration.
  • Obesity. The research suggests that obesity may increase the likelihood of early or intermediate age-related macular degeneration will progress to the more severe form of the disease.
  • Cardiovascular disease. If you have a disease of the heart or the blood vessels, called cardiovascular disease, you may be at greater risk of macular degeneration.

Complications

The people whose dry macular degeneration has progressed to the loss of central vision have a greater risk of depression and social isolation. With profound loss of vision, people may see visual hallucinations. This condition is called Charles Bonnet syndrome. Dry macular degeneration can progress to wet macular degeneration, which can quickly lead to complete loss of vision if not treated.

Prevention

It is important to have routine eye exams to detect early signs of macular degeneration. The following measures can help reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration dry:

  • Manage all medical conditions. For example, if you have a cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure, take the medication and follow your health care team instructions for the control of the condition.
  • Do not smoke. People who smoke are more likely to develop macular degeneration than are people who do not smoke. Ask a health care professional to help you stop smoking.
  • Maintain a healthy weight, and exercising regularly. If you need to lose weight, reduce the number of calories you eat and increase the amount of exercise each day.
  • Choose a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. These foods contain vitamins antioxidants that reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration.
  • To include fish in your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, may reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Nuts such as walnuts also contain omega-3 fatty acids.

Diagnosis

An eye care professional can diagnose dry macular degeneration through the review of medical and family history and perform a complete examination of the eyes. Other tests may be performed, including:

  • Examination of the back of the eye. An eye doctor puts drops in your eyes to dilate, and used a special tool to examine the back of the eye. The eye care professional will look for a mottled appearance that's caused by yellow deposits that form under the retina called drusen. People with macular degeneration often have many drusen.
  • A test of the changes in the center of the field of vision. An Amsler grid can be used to test for changes in the center of the field of vision. If you have macular degeneration, some of the straight lines in the grid may look faded, broken, or deformed.
  • The fluorescein angiography. During this test, an eye, a doctor injects a dye into a vein in the arm. The dye travels to and highlights the blood vessels in the eye. A special camera takes pictures as the dye travels through the blood vessels. The images can show the retina or changes in the blood vessels.
  • Indocyanine green angiography. As fluorescein angiography, this test uses a contrast medium is injected. Can be used in conjunction with a fluorescein angiography to identify specific types of macular degeneration.
  • The optical coherence tomography. This non-invasive imaging test of the detailed display of the cross-sections of the retina. Identifies areas of thinning, thickening or swelling. These can be caused by the accumulation of fluid leakage from the blood vessels in and under the retina.

Treatment

For now, there is no way to reverse the damage of dry macular degeneration. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials. If the condition is diagnosed early, you can take steps to help slow its progression, such as take supplements of vitamins, eating healthy and not smoking.

Supplements of vitamins

For people with an intermediate level or advanced the disease, taking a high-dose formulation of antioxidant vitamins and minerals may help reduce the risk of vision loss. The investigation of the Age-related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) has shown benefit in a formulation that includes:

  • 500 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C.
  • 400 international units (IU) of vitamin E.
  • 10 mg of lutein.
  • 2 mg of zeaxanthin.
  • 80 mg of zinc, oxide of zinc.
  • 2 mg of copper as cupric oxide.

The evidence shows no benefit in taking these supplements for people with early-stage dry macular degeneration. Ask your eye doctor if taking supplements is right for you.

Rehabilitation of low vision

Age-related macular degeneration does not affect your side vision, and usually do not cause total blindness. But you can reduce or eliminate the central vision. You need central vision to read, drive and recognize faces of people. You can help get the attention of a specialist in rehabilitation of low vision therapist, occupational therapist, your eye doctor and other persons trained in low vision rehabilitation. They can help you find ways to adapt to changes in your vision.

The surgery to implant a telescopic lens

For some people with advanced dry age-related macular degeneration in both eyes, with an option to improve vision can be the surgery to implant a telescopic lens in one eye. The telescopic lens, which looks like a small plastic tube, have lenses that enhance your field of vision. The telescopic lens implant can improve distance and near vision, but it has a very narrow field of vision. It can be useful in urban environments as a help to see the street signs.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Even after receiving a diagnosis of dry macular degeneration, these steps may help slow the loss of vision.

  • Do not smoke. If you smoke, talk with a health care professional to help you stop smoking.
  • Choose a healthy diet.Antioxidant vitamins in fruits and vegetables contribute to the health of the eyes. Kale, spinach, broccoli, squash, and other vegetables have high levels of antioxidants, including lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients may benefit people with macular degeneration. Eating foods with high levels of zinc may also be helpful for people with macular degeneration. These include protein-rich foods, such as beef, pork and lamb. Non-meat sources include milk, cheese, yogurt, whole grain cereals and whole wheat bread. Another good option is healthy unsaturated fats, such as olive oil. And research studies have shown that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna and walnuts, may reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration. But the same benefit is not shown taking omega-3 supplements, such as fish oil pills.
  • Manage your other medical conditions. If you have a cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure, for example, take the medication and follow your health care team instructions for the control of the condition.
  • Maintain a healthy weight, and exercising regularly. If you need to lose weight, reduce the number of calories you eat and increase the amount of exercise each day.
  • Have routine eye exams. Ask your eye doctor about the recommended schedule for follow-up examinations. Between tests, you can do a self-assessment of your vision using an Amsler grid. These steps will help to tell you if your condition becomes wet macular degeneration, which can be treated with medications.

Choose a healthy diet. Antioxidant vitamins in fruits and vegetables contribute to the health of the eyes. Kale, spinach, broccoli, squash, and other vegetables have high levels of antioxidants, including lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients may benefit people with macular degeneration.

Eating foods with high levels of zinc may also be helpful for people with macular degeneration. These include protein-rich foods, such as beef, pork and lamb. Non-meat sources include milk, cheese, yogurt, whole grain cereals and whole wheat bread.

Another good option is healthy unsaturated fats, such as olive oil. And research studies have shown that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna and walnuts, may reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration. But the same benefit is not shown taking omega-3 supplements, such as fish oil pills.

Coping and support

These tips can help you to deal with changes in your vision:

  • Get your glasses prescription checked. If you wear contact lenses or glasses, make sure your prescription is up to date. If the new glasses don't help, ask for a referral to a specialist in low vision.
  • The use of magnifiers.A variety of magnifying devices can help you with the reading and in the other, to the work, such as sewing. Such devices include handheld magnifying glasses or lenses that you wear like glasses. You can also use closed-circuit television system that uses a video camera to extend the range of reading material, and projected on a video screen.
  • Change the screen of the computer and add audio systems. Adjust the font size in the configuration of the computer. And adjust the monitor to show more contrast. You can also add speech-output systems or other technologies, to your computer.
  • The use of electronic reading aids and voice interfaces. Try large-print books, tablet computers and audiobooks. Some of tablet and smartphone apps are designed to help people with low vision. And many of these devices now come with voice recognition features.
  • Select special equipment made for low vision. Some clocks, radios, phones, and other devices in very large numbers. You may find that it is easier to watch a television program with a large high-definition screen, or you may want to sit closer to the screen.
  • The use of bright lights in your home. Best lighting helps with reading and other activities of daily living, and may reduce the risk of falls.
  • Consider your transportation options. If you are driving a vehicle, check with your doctor to see if it is safe to continue doing so. Take special care in certain situations, such as driving at night, in heavy traffic or in adverse weather conditions. Use public transportation, or ask family members to help, especially with night driving. Or use local van or transport services, volunteer management networks, or ride-sharing.
  • Get support. Have macular degeneration can be hard, and you may need to make changes in your life. You can go through many emotions as you adjust. Consider talking with a counselor or joining a support group. Spend time with supportive family members and friends.

The use of magnifiers. A variety of magnifying devices can help you with the reading and in the other, to the work, such as sewing. Such devices include handheld magnifying glasses or lenses that you wear like glasses.

You can also use closed-circuit television system that uses a video camera to extend the range of reading material, and projected on a video screen.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely that you will need a dilated eye exam to check for macular degeneration. Make an appointment for a complete eye exam with a doctor who specializes in the care of the eyes — an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.

What you can do

Before your appointment:

  • When you make the appointment, ask if you need to do anything to prepare.
  • List of the symptoms that you are experiencing, including any that seem unrelated to your problem of vision.
  • List of all the medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking, including the dosage.
  • Ask a family member or friend to go with you. Have the pupils dilated by the examination of the eyes will affect your vision for a while after that, so you may need someone to drive or be with you after your appointment.
  • List of questions to ask your eye doctor.

For macular degeneration, questions include:

  • I have a dry or wet macular degeneration?
  • How advanced is my macular degeneration?
  • Is it safe for my car?
  • I experience the loss of vision?
  • Can my condition be treated?
  • It's going to take a vitamin or mineral supplement to help prevent the loss of vision?
  • What is the best way to control my vision for the changes?
  • What changes in my symptoms should I call you?
  • What are low vision aids can be useful to me?
  • What lifestyle changes can I do to protect my vision?

What to expect from your doctor

Your eye doctor is likely to ask you some questions, such as:

  • When did you first notice your vision problem?
  • How the condition affects one or both eyes?
  • Do you have trouble seeing things up close, at a distance, or both?
  • Do you smoke or do not use it to quit smoking? If so, how much?
  • What types of foods you eat?
  • Do you have other medical conditions, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes?
  • Do you have a family history of macular degeneration?
Symptoms and treatment of Dry macular degeneration