middot; If I have macular degeneration, does using my eyes make it worse?
Macular Degeneration (MacDegen.com) :: MacDegen.com is dedic...If you have lost some sight from macular degeneration, don't be afraid to use your eyes to do the things you want to do. Feel free to continue to read, watch TV and perform other routine activities. Normal use of your eyes will not cause further damage to your vision. In addition, if you have one eye with poor vision and the other is fine, do not worry about using the "good" eye too much − use either or both eyes as much as you want.
Related QuestionsI have a cataract. Is it safe to have it removed or will it make my macular degeneration worse?
The Macular Degeneration Partnership: FAQ'sThe decision to remove a cataract is always an individual one. Surgery is usually considered when the cataract interferes with daily activities. Removing the cataract can let more light into the eye, which may help someone with macular degeneration to see better. Recent research has concluded that cataract removal does not appear to contribute to worsening of age-related macular degeneration. Any surgery has risks.
Related Questionsmiddot; What is macular degeneration?
Macular Degeneration (MacDegen.com) :: MacDegen.com is dedic...Macular degeneration is a painless disease of the macula that causes blurring, distortion or loss of central vision. It is caused by wear and tear on the small cells in the macula. It can interfere with many activities in life, including reading, sewing, driving and watching television. Patients with this condition are at risk of becoming socially isolated and depressed and are at much higher risk for falls.
Related Questionsmiddot; What are the types of macular degeneration?
Macular Degeneration (MacDegen.com) :: MacDegen.com is dedic...Broadly speaking, there are two types of macular regeneration: dry and wet. The dry type is much more common, accounting for over 80% of cases. The wet type is more frequently associated with vision loss, distortion and blindness. There are ways to prevent progression of the disease, no matter which type you have.
Related Questionsmiddot; What is dry macular degeneration?
Macular Degeneration (MacDegen.com) :: MacDegen.com is dedic...Macular degeneration is a disease of the deeper retinal layers, affecting the photoreceptors, the RPE cells, Bruch's membrane and the choroid. The dry form occurs when the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down, gradually blurring central vision in the affected eye. As it gets worse, you may see a blurred spot in the center of your vision. As less of the macula functions, you gradually lose central vision in the affected eye.
Related Questionsmiddot; What is wet macular degeneration?
Macular Degeneration (MacDegen.com) :: MacDegen.com is dedic...Wet macular degeneration is diagnosed when either blood or fluid is present. They originate from a new blood vessel that grows at the back of the eye, which is fragile and can bleed. Researchers do not know exactly why new blood vessels arise. The bleeding, the fluid or the vessels themselves can block light rays from reaching the back of the eye or they can interfere with photoreceptor or RPE function.
Related Questionsmiddot; Who is at risk for macular degeneration?
Macular Degeneration (MacDegen.com) :: MacDegen.com is dedic...Age. Increasing age is a risk factor, as most patients with macular degeneration are over the age of 50. A large study conducted in Wisconsin revealed that nearly 30% of those over 75 years of age had some evidence of this condition. Smoking. Active smokers are at much higher risk for developing this condition. Pooled results from three major studies have estimated that active smokers are three times more likely to develop macular degeneration than those who have never smoked. Obesity.
Related QuestionsI want to get my eyes checked for macular degeneration, what is the next step?
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) | LASIK Mountain View...Schedule an appointment at NeoVision Eye Center by calling toll free at 1-877-NEOVISION (1-877-636-8474).
Related Questionsmiddot; What are the stages of dry macular degeneration?
Macular Degeneration (MacDegen.com) :: MacDegen.com is dedic...Early stage. People with early macular degeneration have either several small drusen or a few medium-sized drusen. At this stage, there are generally no symptoms and no vision loss. Intermediate stage. People with intermediate macular degeneration have either many medium-sized drusen or one or more large drusen. Some people see a blurred spot or central haziness in the center of their vision. Advanced stage.
Related Questionsmiddot; Do patients with macular degeneration go blind?
Macular Degeneration (MacDegen.com) :: MacDegen.com is dedic...When polled, most people rate going blind as one of their greatest fears. The good news is that those with macular degeneration do not go blind in the sense of being "black-blind" (the loss of the ability to see anything, including light). Macular degeneration can, however, cause "legal" blindness.
Related Questionsmiddot; Can macular degeneration cause hallucinations?
Macular Degeneration (MacDegen.com) :: MacDegen.com is dedic...Up to 20% of patients with macular degeneration develop visual hallucinations − a phenomenon called "Charles Bonnet Syndrome." The hallucinations are well formed and commonly look like objects, animals or people who are not there. The hallmark of Charles Bonnet syndrome is that patients know the hallucinations are not real. While no one knows for sure why these phenomena occur, they are thought to arise from excessive nerve firing in response to loss of sensory input.
Related Questionsmiddot; How is dry macular degeneration treated?
Macular Degeneration (MacDegen.com) :: MacDegen.com is dedic...If you have early macular degeneration, you likely do not need treatment, as the risk of progressing to the more advanced type is minimal. You should, however, periodically check for any changes on an Amsler grid. If changes are noted, seek medical attention right away. If you have intermediate macular degeneration, your doctor will likely put you on high doses of vitamins.
Related Questionsmiddot; How is wet macular degeneration treated?
Macular Degeneration (MacDegen.com) :: MacDegen.com is dedic...Many other treatments have been used to treat wet macular degeneration in the past. They include submacular surgery (an incision is made in the retina and the new blood vessel is surgically removed), interferon treatment and low-dose radiation. These treatments either have proven to be of little benefit in large clinical trials or have not been generally accepted by the vast majority of retinal specialists.
Related Questionsmiddot; If I have advanced macular degeneration, are there any devices that may help?
Macular Degeneration (MacDegen.com) :: MacDegen.com is dedic...Many devices are available that may be of benefit to you. These can include something as simple as a hand-held magnifier or better lighting; more complex devices such as computer software to help on the Internet are also available. If you have lost some sight from macular degeneration, ask your eye-care professional about low-vision services and devices that may help you make the most of your remaining vision.
Related Questionsmiddot; What can I do to protect my vision if I don't yet have macular degeneration?
Macular Degeneration (MacDegen.com) :: MacDegen.com is dedic...Eat a healthy diet, don't smoke, keep your blood pressure under good control and maintain an ideal body weight. If you are over the age of 55, you should also have a dilated eye examination to determine whether you have macular degeneration or any other age-related eye condition.
Related Questionsmiddot; What can I do to protect my vision if I have dry macular degeneration?
Macular Degeneration (MacDegen.com) :: MacDegen.com is dedic...If you have dry macular degeneration, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. Your eye-care professional can monitor your condition and check for other eye diseases. If he or she tells you that you have the intermediate stage of dry macular degeneration in one or both eyes or advanced macular degeneration in one eye only, AREDS-strength vitamins will likely be prescribed.
Related Questionsmiddot; What can I do to protect my vision if I have wet macular degeneration?
Macular Degeneration (MacDegen.com) :: MacDegen.com is dedic...If you have new distortion, central haziness or blurring you may have wet macular degeneration. If your doctor advises treatment with either laser or PDT, do not wait, because you may lose further vision. After laser surgery or PDT, you will likely need frequent eye examinations to detect any recurrence of leaking blood vessels. In addition, check your vision at home with the Amsler grid. If you detect any changes in this grid, schedule an eye examination immediately.
Related Questionsmiddot; Can advanced macular degeneration be either the dry form or the wet form?
Macular Degeneration (MacDegen.com) :: MacDegen.com is dedic...There are two types of advanced macular degeneration: geographic atrophy and the wet form. The early form of dry macular degeneration can convert to either of these two types. Patients who have the advanced form in one eye have a high risk for developing the advanced form in the other eye.
Related Questionsmiddot; What should people do with early macular degeneration to prevent progression?
Macular Degeneration (MacDegen.com) :: MacDegen.com is dedic...If you have early macular degeneration, you do not need to take vitamin supplements, but you should have a periodic examination to rule out progression to the more advanced types. If the condition does progress, your doctor may consider prescribing vitamin supplements. Other things that you can do include stopping smoking if you are a smoker; eating a diet rich in salads, fruits, vegetables (especially green leafy ones and orange peppers), nuts and fish; and maintaining an ideal body weight.
Related QuestionsWhat is macular degeneration?
Macula Vision Research Foundation: FAQPathologic condition (altered or caused by a disease or abnormal function) Group of conditions that include deterioration of the macula, resulting in loss of sharp central vision. Hereditary types can occur in any age group.
Related QuestionsFrequently Asked QuestionsMacular degeneration is the physical disturbance of the center of the retina called the macula. The macula, which is about the size of the capital letter " O" in this sentence, is the part of the retina, which is capable of our most acute and detailed vision. It is also the location of most of our color receptors. We use the macula for reading, driving, recognizing faces, watching television, and fine work.Related Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Macular Degeneration is a blinding disease which causes the death of cells in the light-sensitive portion of the eye called the retina. These cells, called photoreceptor cells, are most severely affected in a specialized region of the retina called the macula, thus the name Macular Degeneration.Related Questions
FAQIn macular degeneration, the light-sensing cells of the macula mysteriously malfunction and may over time cease to work. Macular degeneration occurs most often in people over 60 years old, in which case it is called Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). Much less common are several hereditary forms of macular degeneration, which usually affect children or teen-agers. Collectively, they are called Juvenile Macular Degeneration.Related Questions
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) | LASIK Mountain View...Macular degeneration is damage to the central part of the retina called the macula. The macula is a small area of the retina that allows us to see fine details clearly. When the macula doesn't function correctly, we experience blurriness or distortion in the center of our vision. Macular degeneration affects both distance and close vision, and can make some activities - like threading a needle or reading - difficult or impossible.Related Questions
Will it damage my eyes or make them worse?
Lasik laser eye surgery from Ultralase: Frequently asked que...The aim of all Ultralase vision correction is to improve your eyesight. Everything we do is targeted to achieve that, from the equipment we install to the recruitment of highly-skilled specialists, from the procedures we follow to the assessments we make. In a minority of cases, there is need for retreatment. Read the safety and risks section for more detail. Recent evidence suggests that stability of outcome is excellent for ten or more years post-treatment.
Related QuestionsHow does diet influence macular degeneration?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Several studies now indicate that diets rich in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, chard and mustard greens, can reduce the risk of ARMD. These and other vegetables are rich in certain pigments known as carotenoids. Among these, lutein and zeaxanthin are two that are highly concentrated in the macula where they may have effects that protect RPE and/or retinal cells from injury caused by the formation of peroxides and other toxic byproducts of the visual cycle .
Related QuestionsHow many people does macular degeneration affect?
Frequently Asked Questions About AMDAbout 25 to 30 million people worldwide are affected by AMD, and the number is expected to triple over the next 25 years. In the U.S., more than 13 million people have AMD, making the condition more common than glaucoma (2 million) though less common than cataracts (20 million).
Related QuestionsHow does Eye Saver help individuals with Macular Degeneration?
Westinghouse Eye Saver Easy Reading Light BulbEye Saver casts more light onto reading surfaces and task areas. Individuals with Macular Degeneration, in particular, notice a dramatic improvement in their ability to see and read when using the Eye Saver bulb. In fact, the Discovery Eye Foundation recognizes the Eye Saver as a useful light source for those who need enhanced lighting due to low vision or eye diseases such as Macular Degeneration. (back to top)
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