Are There Risk Factors With Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is a progressive eye disease. This means that it only gets worse over time.
It is also the leading cause of vision loss in people over 60. It occurs when the central part of your retina (the light-sensitive tissue on the rear interior wall of your eyes) begins to deteriorate.
This causes holes in your central vision and affects your ability to see fine detail. In rare cases, it may also affect your ability to perceive color. Keep reading to find out if there are risk factors associated with macular degeneration!
Other Risk Factors
Age is one of the most important factors with macular degeneration, which is true with most vision problems. But age is not the only thing that can cause macular degeneration.
Macular degeneration may, in fact, be genetic to some degree. If a family member of yours has it, be sure to be vigilant when looking for symptoms.
You should also stay up to date on your appointments at Pinke Eye Center. Other genetic warning signs include being light-skinned, being female, and having light-colored eyes.
Other risk factors include unhealthy habits such as smoking, high blood pressure or cholesterol, and a diet with lots of saturated fat.
Types of Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration comes in two forms: wet and dry. Dry macular degeneration is much more common, making up about 90% of cases.
In this form, small deposits of a yellow substance called drusen appear on the macula. The macula is in the central part of the retina.
At first, this will not affect your vision, but as the condition worsens, the drusen will enlarge and more will appear. These will distort light.
They will also cause the light-sensitive cells to thin out and become weaker. Eventually, they will die out completely.
Wet macular degeneration happens if the dry form is left untreated for too long. As damage occurs, new blood vessels may begin to grow in the retina.
These new blood vessels help deliver the necessary nutrients.
The problem with these new blood vessels is they are quite weak. As a result, they are more prone to leaking.
This causes the vision to appear wavy and distorted. As the vessels open and heal over and over again, it’s likely that scar tissue will develop. This can cause permanent vision damage.
Macular degeneration comes in two forms: wet and dry. Dry macular degeneration is much more common, making up about 90% of cases.
In this form, small deposits of a yellow substance called drusen appear on the macula. The macula is in the central part of the retina.
At first, this will not affect your vision, but as the condition worsens, the drusen will enlarge and more will appear. These will distort light.
They will also cause the light-sensitive cells to thin out and become weaker. Eventually, they will die out completely.
Wet macular degeneration happens if the dry form is left untreated for too long. As damage occurs, new blood vessels may begin to grow in the retina.
These new blood vessels help deliver the necessary nutrients. The problem with these new blood vessels is they are quite weak. As a result, they are more prone to leaking.
This causes the vision to appear wavy and distorted. As the vessels open and heal over and over again, it’s likely that scar tissue will develop. This can cause permanent vision damage.
Treatment
There is no cure for macular degeneration and its effects are difficult to reverse. The disease can be slowed down, allowing for some vision loss to be avoided.
Certain drugs are effective at blocking the creation of blood vessels from wet macular degeneration. This treatment may take several times to be effective. Many patients end up retrieving some of their lost vision.
Laser therapy can be an effective way to quickly eradicate problem blood vessels that have already formed. In some treatments, a medication is injected into your bloodstream to assist in destroying the blood vessels.
Vision aids may help cope with vision loss.
How to treat your macular degeneration will depend on various factors. The best thing to do is to have prevention habits and techniques you can use.
Looking to learn more about macular degeneration? Schedule an appointment at Pinke Eye Center in Shelton, CT!
