age-related macular degeneration or ARMD is the most common cause of reduced vision in the UK. As the name suggests, it is a condition that is generally associated with older people and becomes more likely the older we get.
ARMD can cause a partial reduction or complete loss of what is known as 'central vision', although it does not cause total blindness because it only affects the "macula" or central portion of the retina - leaving the sufferer with peripheral vision.
the central part of the retina responsible for seeing fine detail and used to read, discerning colors and identifying specific faces.
What causes ARMD?
Basically, the age-related macular degeneration caused by general wear and tear macular region. This part of the eye is extremely active, and it is thought the waste products build up gradually as the complex mechanisms that remove them tired and less effective. This build-up causing damage to the macula over time and lead to ARMD.
Something that has been proposed as a major factor in ARMD has extensive exposure to UV radiation -. Which can put extra pressure on the eye and quicken the process of degenerative
Although most commonly associated with those over 60 years, younger people may be susceptible to age-related macular degeneration - especially those who are extremely short-sighted. It was found that women are more susceptible than men, although experts have pointed out that women generally live longer than men.
Various types of age-related macular degeneration
There are two different types of ARMD - dry and wet. Dry ARMD is the most common form and affects approximately 80% suffer from age-related macular degeneration. Both eyes are generally affected by this type of situation, and builds gradually over time.
Wet ARMD is much rarer, but is much heavier and has a rapid effect on the degeneration of central vision. This is caused by blood vessels in the back of the eye grow abnormally in the macular region. If the blood vessels leak blood into the area may cause significant degeneration of central vision. Wet ARMD tends to affect only one eye at a time.
age-related macular degeneration symptoms
age-related macular degeneration symptoms
...age-related macular degeneration symptoms
...ARMD treatments
for dry ARMD, the quality of vision is slowly weakening, and usually not very difficult, so there is no treatment for this type of age-related macular degeneration. However, there are some measures sufferers can take to improve their ability to see clearly. Halogen lights, for example, can be used when reading to pick out words easily. There are also plenty of visual aids, including large print books and magnifying glasses.
As the wet ARMD is much more severe, the patient will have to undergo evaluation before determining whether it will be suitable for treatment. This usually consists of a wall map reading, as well as "capture the retina '-. Which includes fluoresein angiogram and indocyanine green angiogram used to trace the pattern of blood vessels that affect the retina to determine whether any treatment can help
If it is determined that the treatment will be effective, there are two main treatments that can be implemented:
Photo-dynamic therapy - this involves injecting a light sensitive color called verteporfin into the hands, which then travels to the eye and 'activated' by the laser. Not all types of wet ARMD is treated by photo-dynamic therapy.
ranibizumab - it is a drug that is attached to certain chemicals in your eyes and stop them causing abnormal growth of blood vessels. Ranibizumab is administered by injection directly into the eyes.
Blurred vision or no vision in the center of the visual field is called macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is one of the most common eye disease. The symptoms of this disease comes slowly and develop gradually over time. Best macular degeneration treatment
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