Causes Of Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a degenerative disorder of the central part of the retina known as the macula, which is responsible for central vision. Its cause is unknown, although it is known that the patient's age is the main risk factor.

The macula is the part of the retina that allows you to read, watch television or recognize faces of people. Today, it is the leading cause of legal blindness in people over sixty years. However, peripheral vision remains unchanged, so that patients can manage without assistance for everyday tasks like walking.

cause

The causes of macular degeneration are unknown, but age is the main risk factor. Today, it is the leading cause of legal blindness in people over sixty years.

In addition, there is a clear family

The most important are the snuff and diet. Diets rich in vitamins, minerals, lutein and omega - 3 exert a protective effect.

Types

Dry form

This type of macular degeneration is the most common. It develops more slowly. In this process atrophy occurs macular area.

Wet form

Its evolution is much faster and has a worse prognosis. In this way fluid accumulates under the macula.

Symptoms, include wavy vision of straight lines and decreasing central vision.

You may also notice changes in reading the newspaper, watch TV or look at the faces of the people. If you notice distorted objects or the appearance of black spots that do not change position, you should book a visit within a few days.

Although no noticeable changes in the view is advisable to make regular visits.

symptoms

Signs and symptoms of dry macular

After treatment, addition, new blood vessels may develop.

The photodynamic therapy also aims to destroy the fragile blood vessels, but this is achieved by injecting a drug that adheres to the surface of said vessel, and subsequently illuminating the eye with a light that activates the drug. The activated drug destroys blood vessels only, without affecting healthy tissues. This treatment does not restore lost vision, but retards the progress of the disease.

A recently developed a new treatment for macular degeneration with very good results in general (although there are people who do not respond to this treatment), which is based on the use of injections periodic anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth ), they are hindering the development of new vessels, which is the alteration that really worsens the prognosis of the disease.

Other less frequent macular degeneration, such as the toxic maculopathy , occur as a result of the ingestion of certain substances, such as drugs used in malaria , namely chloroquine, so when this drug is used is eye must perform regular checks, as well as a previous eye