Understanding The Macular Degeneration And How Macular Supplements Can Help

By Ryan Watson


Age-related macular degeneration (MD), also referred to as AMD, is a form of vision loss and affects the macula part of the eye or eyes. It is the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in most western countries. Usually affecting people aged 65 or above, this is a more serious eye condition than some other complaints and eye conditions. But with macular supplements, the patients have somewhere to get help.

Most of our retina (the light-sensitive tissue inside the eye) has light-sensing cells called "rods". They are very sensitive at light detection but not very sensitive to details. The macular is the 3/16" area of the central retina with light-sensing cells called "cones". They are very sensitive to visual detail and color perception. This region supplies the straight-ahead vision. In macular degeneration (MD), the macular cells are damaged and central straight-ahead vision becomes blurred or distorted.

Ten percent of these patients progress to "Wet ARMD" in which new blood vessels grow in below the macular and then leak blood into this region. The resulting scarring leaves areas of the macular that are blind. Many of these patients are legally blind.

Although anyone can have it, ARMD occurs most often in Caucasian females over age 65. Smoking increases the risk 6 times and living with a smoker doubles your risk. Being overweight also can double your risk. Another big risk factor is the excessive light exposure that surfers, sailors, farm workers, etc are exposed to.

The causes of this problem can range from person to person. For some it will simply be age. It is well-known the people over the age of 55 suffer more eyesight issues and vision loss than younger people. As we age, our body is less able to repair vital systems and therefore our eyesight can suffer.

Before a patient's condition progresses to the wet form of the disease, it begins as the dry, non-neovascular type of AMD. The first symptoms of dry AMD are drusen, yellow spots, which amass in the vicinity of the macular. They are believed to be the result of decomposition of the tissue within the eye which deposits itself in and around this region.

There are now vigorous measures being taken to deal with this problem by using such devices as larger glasses or bifocals; in fact, many recent computer systems have included an MD-friendly program known as JAWS, which makes it much easier for the person with MD to see more clearly. Some vision experts also suggest patients begin a regimen of specific vitamins that can help to strengthen vision and avoid further damage.

Vision aids can help train your sight, especially in the areas of peripheral vision. Surgery is an option too as are injections. Laser surgery is reported to be very effective, quick, easy and free of pain. Laser eye treatment is one solution for eye conditions, as are all the other options listed.

The surgeon gently removes this area and moves it to a safer environment in the eye. This retinal translocation seems to be working well for many people suffering from ARMD. With proper supplements with the right vitamins, you don't have to experiment these surgical procedures that are not even guaranteed to work.




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