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Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 and older. It is a disease that destroys your sharp, central vision. You need central vision to see objects clearly and to do tasks such as reading and driving.

AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail. It does not hurt, but it causes cells in the macula to die. In some cases, AMD advances so slowly that people notice little change in their vision. In others, the disease progresses faster and may lead to a loss of vision in both eyes. Regular comprehensive eye exams can detect macular degeneration before the disease causes vision loss. Treatment can slow vision loss. It does not restore vision.

National Eye Institute

Macular Degeneration on Wikipedia

cross-sectional view. Courtesy National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute National Eye Institute '''Macular degeneration''' is a medical condition where the light sensing cells in the macula malfunction and over time cease to work. It is the main cause of central vision loss (blindness) in the USA today for those over the age of fifty (Americam Academy of Ophthalmology). There are two basic types of the disease: Standard Macular Degeneration (MD) and Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), with ARMD being the most common form of the condition. Macular degeneration that is not age related is most commonly caused by a heredity condition. These forms are sometimes called Juvenile macular degeneration (JMD). In macular degeneration the final form results in complete blindness in the central part of the patient's vision.

Age related macular degeneration

ARMD is further divided into a "dry," or nonexudative, form and a "wet," or exudative, form. Eighty five to ninety percent of cases are categorized as "dry" macular degeneration where fatty tissue, known as drusen, will slowly build up behind the retina. Ten to fifteen percent of cases involve the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina. These cases are called "wet" macular degeneration due to the leakage of blood and other fluid from behind the retina into the eye. Wet macular degeneration usually begins as the dry form. If allowed to continue without treatment it will completely destroy the macula. Medical, photodynamic, laser photocoagulation and laser treatment of wet ...   [ Read More ]


External Resources

Wall of Fog: Struggle With Blindness - A self-help book for people experiencing vision loss, especially due to Macular Degeneration. This blind writer/publisher also has made this a valuable resource for people coping with other losses. Blind Press.

Visivite Macular Degeneration Treatment - Sells proprietary formulations that protect against the progression of macular degeneration.

Ocu-Forte - Offers antioxidant formula designed by a Doctor of Ophthalmology for macular degeneration.

Low Vision Associates (NYC) - Helping patients with the latest on low vision, whether from injury, aging, glaucoma, macular degeneration, albinism, retinitus pigmentosa, diabetes or other, specialty lenses or contacts may help.

Bossert Specialties - Offers optical and electronic magnifiers for people with low vision, macular degeneration, and other disorders.

VoilaTechnology - Provider of assistive technology and services for people suffering from macular degeneration and blindness.

Vision Technology - Provides video magnification systems and vision enhancement devices for individuals with macular degeneration and other forms of low vision.

Bowes Rickman Laboratory - Introduction to research, staff and publications using molecular probes to identify genes associated with macular degeneration and other blindness, at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.

Acuity Pharmaceuticals - Pharmaceutical company developing RNA Interference technology. Also focusing on developing treatments for age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Provides information on recent research and drug development approach.

Geron Corporation - Discovers and develops therapeutic and diagnostic products, as well as projects for cancer, skin aging, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis and macular degeneration. Headquartered in Menlo Park, California. (Nasdaq: GERN)


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