Macular degeneration refers to a chronic disease of the eye that leads to loss in vision especially the centre of the field of vision.
This disease of the eye is characterised by the deterioration of macula, the centre of the retina.
There are two types of age-related macular degeneration, namely, dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration.
Treatment
Once you have been diagnosed with macular degeneration, no form of treatment can restore it, but future damage can be prevented. Macular degeneration usually progresses slowly and a lot of people with the condition can live a normal, productive life with the help of treatment. Some treatments that help to soothe condition include the following:
Increase in Vitamin intake: patients with macular degeneration are asked to increase their vitamin intake by taking a high dose of formulation of zinc and antioxidant vitamins. You can ask your doctor for an apt formulation to reduce your risk of complete loss of vision. It is important to weigh the risks and complications that are associated with the vitamins. High dosage of certain vitamins can lead to fatal consequences like heart attack. Lifestyle changes may be recommended by your doctor to completely ward off the risk for vision loss. Discuss all the options with your doctor.
Surgery: this procedure is done to implant telescopic lens in one eye and is done in selected people who are suffering from advanced macular degeneration in both the eyes. The telescopic lens that is used looks like a tiny plastic tube which has lenses that magnify the field of vision. The implants may improve both close-up as well as distance vision.
Prevention
Some of the ways in which macular degeneration may be prevented include the following:
Go through routine eye check-ups: visit your ophthalmologist and ask him/her how many times you should be ideally going through routine eye check-ups. An exam of the dilated eye can help you identify if you are about to experience macular degeneration or not.
Quit smoking: Smoking has never done any good to people. Among all the problems that it leads to, it also develops macular degeneration. If you cannot stop smoking on your own, ask your doctor for ways to do so without much difficulty.
Manage other diseases: Certain diseases like diabetes are bound to affect the functioning of the eye. It is therefore, important that such diseases be adequately managed. For instance, if you have some form of cardiovascular disease or hypertension, take the medication as prescribed by your doctor and follow his/her instructions as given.
Macular degeneration occurs mostly in elders, though it does not mean that youngsters avoid taking preventive measures. An early phase of prevention allows for a safe and secure future free of diseases.
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