Macular Degeneration

By David Bodunde, Rph

Macular degeneration is a progressive and age related condition that affects a tiny area at the center of the retina, called the macula. This layer of tissue is on the inside back wall of the eyeball and the damage to it can be classified as either “wet” or “dry.” Wet is the most damaging type of AMD and is characterized by blood leaking into the retina. Dry AMD is the most common type, and is characterized by age-related breakdown or thinning of the macula. Macular degeneration does not cause total blindness, but it worsens your quality of life by blurring or causing a blind spot in your central vision.

Symptoms

The first symptom of macular degeneration is often a noticed waviness in lines that used to appear straight. A dark spot in the middle of the normal field of vision is also a telltale sign of progressing macular damage.

As the nerves and tissues become more damaged, the field of vision is reduced greatly. It becomes very difficult to distinguish faces, drive, or to perform normal daily tasks that require seeing objects clearly. While this condition often doesn’t affect your side or peripheral vision, it makes it difficult to perform daily routines and maintain a good quality of life.

Causes

The exact cause of dry macular degeneration is not known, but the condition develops as the eye ages and is a result of a breakdown of the eye’s ability to get rid of waste material. Wet macular degeneration develops when abnormal new blood cells grow in the eye and leak fluid or blood, hence the name “wet” The wet form accounts for about 15 percent of all cases , but it is responsible for most of the severe vision loss that people with AMD experience.

Treatments and drugs

Treatment of wet macular degeneration focuses on stopping further progression of the disease and it includes laser therapy. In this treatment, a
high energy laser beam is used to destroy the abnormal, leaky blood vessels.
This treatment has limitations and will not replace any dark or gray spots that are already permanently blank. Another treatment is the photodynamic therapy which involves injecting a drug into the vein, and using special light to activate the medication, enabling it to close abnormal blood vessels in the eye.

 Unfortunately, there is no treatment to reverse dry macular degeneration. It usually progresses slowly and many people with the condition are able to live normal, productive lives, especially if only one eye is affected.

Because there is a clear relationship between macular degeneration and cellular damage caused by free radicals, one of the most important ways to prevent this condition is to arm the body with an arsenal of “eye-friendly” antioxidants which include beta-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, and lutein. These can be purchased at any pharmacy or you can get them from food sources like egg yolk, corn and spinach.

Foods with antioxidants are those rich in vitamins A, C and E. People who eat diets rich in vegetables, particularly leafy green vegetables and brightly coloured fruits like red grapes, oranges, and bell peppers may have a lower risk of macular degeneration.

For people with moderate to advanced macular degeneration, findings from the famous Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) indicate that taking high
doses of zinc, beta carotene, and vitamin C and E is effective in reducing the risk of further vision loss. However, beta carotene has been linked to increased risk of lung cancer in smokers and too much vitamin E can be toxic. Ask your Pharmacist or your doctor about these supplements before trying anything on your own. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish or fish supplements and other foods like almonds.

 Some alternative therapies include gingko biloba, bilberry and shark cartilage which have been touted to help prevent the progression of macular degeneration, however there is no conclusive evidence that these products are effective for macular degeneration.

Life style changes like quitting smoking also goes a long way in reducing your risk of developing macular degeneration.

Early detection of macular degeneration increases your chance of preventing serious vision loss, so if you are older than 40, get an eye examination every two to four years, and older than 65, every year or two.

To speak with David Bodunde, Rph in person, visit the Manitouwadge
Pharmacy, Unit 2, Hallmarket Square in Manitouwadge or call  826.3888

The opinions expressed on OntarioNewsNorth.com and by David Bodunde,Rph  are published for educational and informational purposes only, and are not intended as a diagnosis, treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis and treatment. Please consult a physician or other health care professional for your specific health care and/or medical needs or concerns.

Neither OntarioNewsNorth.com nor David Bodunde,Rph  endorse or recommend any commercial products, medical treatments, pharmaceuticals, brand names, processes, or services; the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and education of the viewing public, and the mention of any of the above on OntarioNewsNorth.com does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by OntarioNewsNorth.com or David Bodunde, Rph