Cystoid macular edema is a well recognized complication associated with RP. It is thought to occur in about fifty percent of RP cases at some stage in the disease. Cystoid macular edema causes a build up of fluid in the macula. The macula is the central portion of the retina responsible for perceiving fine visual detail. Some, but not all, patients who develop cystoid macular edema will experience a reduction of their central vision.

Macular edema is treated with laser surgery. This procedure is called focal laser treatment. Your doctor places up to several hundred small laser burns in the areas of retinal leakage surrounding the macula. These burns slow the leakage of fluid and reduce the amount of fluid in the retina. The surgery is usually completed in one session. Further treatment may be needed. A patient may need focal laser surgery more than once to control the leaking fluid.

Dilated eye exam . Drops are placed in your eyes to widen, or dilate, the pupils. Your eye care professional uses a special magnifying lens to examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of damage and other eye problems. After the exam, your close-up vision may remain blurred for several hours. Tonometry . An instrument measures the pressure inside the eye. Numbing drops may be applied to your eye for this test.

Macular 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.

Edema is an observable swelling in certain parts of the body. Edema most commonly occurs in the feet and legs (peripheral edema). The swelling is the result of the accumulation of excess fluid under the skin in the spaces within the tissues that are outside of the blood vessels (interstitial spaces or compartments).

Damaged eye blood vessels may leak fluid into the retina. The retina swells (edema) and vision may be affected. Some forms of edema absorb spontaneously and leave no permanent damage. Other forms tend to progress and must be treated with lasers. The purpose of laser treatment is to preserve current visual level. Only 15% of patients report improvement in quality of vision after treatment. Still, treatment is very important because it tends to reduce additional visual loss.

Wet AMD is common in individuals over sixty years old, but can also occur in people as young as forty-years old. Macular degeneration is also the most common cause of vision loss in people over 65. Scientists believe that hereditary may also contribute to wet macular degeneration.

The root causes of macular degeneration are still unknown. There are two forms of age-related macular degeneration, "wet" and "dry." Ninety percent of patients have the "dry" form, which involves thinning of the macular tissues and disturbances in its pigmentation. Ten percent have the "wet" form, which can involve bleeding within and beneath the retina, opaque deposits, and eventually scar tissue.

Declining vision noticed by the patient or by a doctor during a routine eye exam may be the first indicator of macular degeneration. The formation of new blood vessels and exudates, or "drusen," from blood vessels in and under the macular is often the first physical sign that macular degeneration may develop. In addition, the following signs may be indicative of macular problems. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should consult an ophthalmologist immediately: a.

Macular degeneration appears to be hereditary in some families but not in others. Since macular degeneration affects most patients later in life, it is difficult to study successive generations in a family. Recent studies of twins indicate that both genetic and non-genetic factors play important roles in age-related macular degeneration. Yes. It has been demonstrated that the blue rays of the spectrum seem to accelerate macular degeneration more than other rays of the spectrum.

Yes. Until recently there has been no successful treatment for macular degeneration. For many years patients have had to rely on low vision aids, nutrition, and risky laser surgery to cope with this disease. There is now a new treatment using acupuncture points and a microcurrent stimulator that has shown the first effective results in treating the dry and wet form of macular degeneration, and also Juvenile Macular Degeneration, and Retinitis Pigmentosa.

I have been using Accutane for the past 4 months, and indeed there have been no new breakouts. But the one thing that I am not happy about is the fact that my previous acne has left scars on my skin. I really want to have a clear and clean complexion, otherwise I would have never used Accutane. What is the best way to eliminate those old scars? Also, can I stop using Accutane in the middle and start with your Dermacleanse product? Jenna B. CA

Macular degeneration is a condition in which the eye's macula breaks down, causing a gradual or sudden loss of central vision.

If you're over age 65, a smoker, white or have a family member with macular degeneration, you have an increased risk for macular degeneration. You're also at risk if you take these drugs: Aralen (chloroquine) or phenothiazine derivatives [Thorazine (chlorpromazine), Mellaril (thioridazine), Prolixin (fluphenazine), Trilafon (perphenazine) and Stelazine (trifluoperazine)].

Doctors aren't sure how to prevent macular degeneration. Research suggests that ultraviolet light (and possibly blue light) factors into the problem, so sunglasses could be very beneficial. Read more about sunglasses. What you eat also affects your macula. Researchers think that antioxidants (vitamins A, C and E), zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin and essential fatty acids all can aid in preventing macular degeneration. Read more about nutrition and eye health.