Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of vision loss. The macula is a part of the retina responsible for converting the images into signals that the optic nerve can transmit to the brain. With increasing age, the macula gradually atrophies and impacts your visual acuity, eventually causing significant vision impairment.

Symptoms

The prominent early signs to watch out for in macular degeneration include trouble with colour perception, as well as blurred vision. As the disease progresses, core vision is lost in stages. Everyday activities like reading, driving, and recognizing faces require significant effort. Visual hallucinations are also a progressive sign of this disease.

Diagnosing Macular Degeneration

To diagnose this disorder, a special device called an ophthalmoscope is used to look for fatty deposits and other red flags in the back of your retina after dilation. In terms of prevention, periodic eye check-ups can help detect early signs even before symptoms surface.

While the actual cause is unknown, family history, lifestyle, smoking, gender, exposure to ultraviolet light, and age are believed to increase the chances of macular degeneration occurring.

Types of macular degeneration and Treatment

Dry: The more common type of macular degeneration, this causes small white/yellow fatty deposits called drusen to form on the retina, causing its breakdown.

Treatment for dry macular degeneration is a mix of vitamins C and E, and two kinds of antioxidants called lutein and zeaxanthin.

Wet: Abnormal blood vessels damage the macula and impact the retina shape. 99% of blindness is caused by this variant of macular degeneration.

Treatment options include the use of drugs/laser/photodynamic therapy to block problematic blood vessels in the eye.

Conclusion

While macular degeneration has no known cure, one can make healthy choices to slow down its proliferation. Regular exercise, sun protection, and a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet rich in leafy green vegetables and fish are some ways to protect your eyes from this debilitating condition.