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Important
Facts About
Macular
Degeneration &
Low
Vision
An eye condition in which the
macula, a sensitive area in
the retina responsible for
central and detail vision, is
damaged, often causing loss of
central vision.
TYPES: "Dry" Form - usually
progresses slowly and causes
central vision loss. "Wet"
Form - rarer, and more severe.
May progress rapidly causing
significant central vision
loss.
WHO GETS IT: Most common in
people over 60, but can appear
as early as age 40. It is the
most common cause of severe
vision loss among people over
65, and, as life expectancy
increases, the disease is
becoming an increasingly
significant problem.
CAUSES: There is no conclusive
proof as to what causes it,
however, some scientists
believe heredity may play a
part, as may UV light exposure
and malnutrition.
PREVENTION: Although there is
no hard evidence as to how to
prevent it, these steps may
help:
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Regular eye exams by your
eye care specialist, who is
specially trained to detect
many vision-threatening
conditions even before you
develop symptoms. The
earlier the problems are
detected, the better chance
of preventing vision loss.
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Protection from UV-A and
UV-B rays. Some studies have
suggested that prolonged or
frequent exposure to UV-A
and UV-B rays may be a
factor, so always wear your
sunglasses that block 99 to
100% of UV rays when
outdoors.
-
Proper nutrition. Although
there is no concrete
evidence that nutrition
plays a role, a healthy diet
can't hurt and can prevent
many other health problems.
New evidence supports the
use of HIGH DOSE
supplements.
TREATMENT: There is usually no
treatment for the "dry" form,
but low vision rehabilitation
can help those with
significant vision loss to
maintain an excellent quality
of life. Laser surgery can
sometimes treat the "wet" form
and low vision rehabilitation
can help those with vision
loss.
CURRENT RESEARCH: There is a
great deal of research and
several major scientific
studies being conducted to
find the causes and develop
effective treatments. Visit
the
National Eye Institute Web
site for additional
information.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS: Photodynamic
therapy (PDT) is one of the
most promising new treatments
for the "wet" type. It
involves the injection of a
drug,
Visudyne, into the
bloodstream, followed by a
brief laser treatment. The
laser "activates" the drug,
which helps destroy abnormal
blood vessels in the eye that
damage the macula. The
procedure may be done in an
ophthalmologist's office, and
several treatments may be
necessary for it to be
effective.
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Vitamin
Science, Inc is based in
Huntington, New York, and
manufacturers VisiVite vitamin supplements to treat
macular degeneration
that are based upon the recommendations of
the
National Eye Institute, which is part
of the
United States National Institutes of
Health.