health care information

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is a progressive, degernative condition of the center of the eye’s retina, which is called the macula. 90% of the time, this is caused by the thinning and shriveling of the macula, where the ganglia of the optic nerves for central vision are located. This type of macular degeneration is very gradual, and may be preventable to a degree; if caught early by Connecticut low vision eye doctors, changes in diet and lifestyle may keep the symptoms from progressing much further.The other kind of AMD is known as the “wet” variety. This is much rarer, affecting patients in about 10% of cases. However, it is much more serious and difficult to treat by low vision doctors, as onset is rapid and symptoms progress quickly. This occurs when there is an abnormal build-up of blood vessels in the eye; the causes are believed to be genetic.Connecticut low vision specialists are ophthalmologists who have been specially trained in issues related to macular degeneration and other eye conditions. These low vision eye doctors are aware of the latest treatments and prosthetic devices that can help you in making the most of what eyesight you have remaining.For this reason, it is vital to has regular eye exams with your regular optometrist. If a serious problem is suspected, s/he will refer you to one of the many Connecticut low vision doctors in your community.Connecticut low vision doctors may recommend that you add more leafy green vegetables to your diet, such as bitter greens, spinach or kale, and increase you intake of salt-water fish and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids.In addition to diet and supplements, low vision eye doctors can prescribe a number of devices, some of which have only recently become available. One of the most common of these are biopic glasses, which are like “bifocals on steroids;” these actually have miniature telescopes mounted on them, allowing for high magnification of objects in the central field of view. In some cases, the use of such biopic glasses even allows macular degeneration patients to resume the operation of a motor vehicle.Whether treatment, prosthesis – or most likely, both – is called for, the important thing is to get diagnosed early on, as Connecticut low vision doctors can be far more effective in treating the disease in its early stages and possibly slow its progression. If you have concerns about this, schedule an eye exam today and if necessary, you will be referred to one of the Connecticut low vision doctors practicing near your home.

Macular Degeneration Treatment Consists of a Variety of Strategies

Adults over the age of fifty are at greater risk for developing macular degeneration, a condition that affects the central vision of the eye. Low vision specialists can offer sound medical advice on the prevention of macular degeneration in elderly patients, as well as low vision products that can help improve one’s field of vision.

What is Macular Degeneration?

The inner lining of the eye is called the retina. The center of the retina is called the macula, and when this area atrophies or becomes deteriorated, macular degeneration is the result. Scarring or deterioration of the macula results in the loss of central vision, used for reading, driving, and working on computers. There are two types of age related degeneration of the macula, and they are wet and dry. The dry form is due to atrophy of the rods and cones in the retinal part of the eye. The wet form is due to blood capillaries that burst or leak below the macula, causing a loss of vision in the area.

There are signs that doctors look for when diagnosing the degeneration of the macula. Yellow deposits called drusen develop in the macula, and while a person’s vision might be quite good when the drusen first develop, if the drusen grow in size and number, it can lead to age related degeneration of the macula.

How is the Prevention of Macular degeneration treatment in Elderly Patients Accomplished?

People with higher cholesterol levels are also at greater risk for developing the drusen that can lead to a degeneration of the macula. Certain cholesterol lowering medications may help to lessen the growth of drusen.

What Types of Macular Degeneration Treatment Are Available?

If the dry form of degeneration of the macula is present, the macular degeneration treatment can include vitamin supplements taken in high doses. Antioxidants, zeaxanthin and lutein can help slow the effects of rod and cone atrophy, and for some people it can even aid in improving central vision.Low vision specialists have seen a good new macular degeneration treatment for wet degeneration of the macula. The abnormal blood vessels growth has been lessened by the use of anti-angiogenic drugs. These are painlessly injected into the eye at a rate of once or twice a month, with good results for many patients.

What Other Types of Macular Degeneration Treatment Are Available Through Macular Degeneration Devices?

Low vision products are used daily to great effect in terms of macular degeneration treatment. Such macular degeneration devices can include magnifiers and telescopic glasses. While these types of products are useful for making items appear larger in the central vision range, it is important to note that your peripheral vision may be perfectly normal even though you have degeneration of the macula. So many times these devices are used in conjunction with your regular eye glass prescription to give you the best of both visual ranges.

As we age, we face a greater risk of developing macular degeneration, which is caused by a thinning or wasting away of the central portion of the retina, known as the macula. The result of this common medical condition is that the central vision is diminished or lost, which is where detail vision is located. Arizona residents who suffer from low vision due to this or other medical conditions will want to visit Arizona low vision specialists. These low vision doctors can help you maximize your remaining vision so that you can continue to perform the activities you enjoy.There are several steps that Arizona low vision specialists will take to help improve your visual acuity. They will give you a complete vision exam of the external and internal parts of the eye. They will also find out what vision goals you have, and will provide education for you concerning what options are available to improve your fields of vision. If your doctor discovers that you are in the early stages of this medical condition, he or she may recommend some dietary changes to help slow the progression of the condition. Lutein, zinc, vitamins A, C, and E have been shown to slow the dry form of this condition. Foods like kale, collard greens, spinach, swiss chard, beet greens and mustard greens also contain these nutrients, and can be eaten in addition to taking supplements. Low vision specialists will likely also prescribe low visionaids and will show you how to use them. Arizona Low vision specialists could recommend you use a variety of magnifiers. Some are as simple as a hand-held magnifier, while others consist of a magnifier on a stand or magnifiers that are worn on glasses. Telescopes are another vision aid recommended by low vision doctors. Bioptic glasses have special tiny telescopes placed on the glass lenses of your glass frames. They function a bit like bifocals, in that you can tip your head to look through the telescope for improving visual acuity at distances, or you can look through the rest of the lens, which is filled with a prescription appropriate for your peripheral vision. Although this type of macular problem affects the central vision, the peripheral vision remains unharmed, and thus would not ordinarily need any special visual help. Some individuals with low vision have been able to resume driving with the use of bioptic glasses.Experienced Arizona Low vision specialists can diagnose and treat macular degeneration, and can offer the best counsel on the types of vision aids that will help you meet your vision goals. Your doctor will work with you to come up with a treatment plan designed to fit your unique needs and help to preserve your current eyesight.