Macular degeneration of the retina: causes and treatment

The retina of the eye, whose diseases significantly affect our vital functions, is a very important element that ensures correct and good vision. Without it, the image could not be projected and transformed. Simply put, we would not have seen anything. Naturally, if you notice any symptoms of retinal disease, you must start treatment.

Macular degeneration: a characteristic of the disease

First, you need to understand what the macula is. It is a photosensitive layer of the retina that is in its center. Thanks to it, you can clearly see the objects that are in front of your eyes. That is, if it is damaged, then you can hardly read and write normally. Thanks to this element, you can also distinguish colors and shades. The macula consists of photosensitive cells. Their peculiarity is that they are not insured against damage.

Macular degeneration of the retina is a pathology characterized by central vision damage. In principle, it does not cause complete blindness. In addition, the pathology is often manifested in both eyes, and it is uneven, so you can not notice the onset of the disease immediately.

The retina of the eye, whose illness worsens the quality of life, does not hurt at all. It should be noted that in women presented pathology is much more common. In addition, it is already developing in the elderly.

Causes of the disease

Among the factors that can provoke the presented pathology, it is necessary to allocate such:

- malnutrition (in the case of providing the body with all the necessary trace elements and vitamins, the progression of the disease can significantly slow down or stop altogether);

- ultraviolet rays (sunlight can damage the retina);

- hereditary predisposition;

- poor hygiene and eye strain;

- bad habits (smoking);

- Any disease of the circulatory system.

Retinal diseases , the treatment of which must be thorough and timely, can have complex consequences. Try not to engage in self-elimination and diagnosis of pathology. Address to the doctor.

Symptomatology of pathology

Macular degeneration of the retina is characterized by such signs:

- distortion and deterioration of the central vision, and it appears gradually or very sharply;

- difficulties during writing or reading;

- depending on the form of the pathology, you can see either a blind dark spot or curved lines instead of straight lines;

- Absence of painful sensations;

- difficulty in adapting vision in the dark;

- With the development of pathology, it becomes difficult for a patient to distinguish faces of people.

Sometimes, if the macular degeneration of the eye is strongly triggered, a person may have hallucinations that are not in any way related to his mental state.

Diagnosis of pathology

This procedure is easy. Naturally, it should be produced by an experienced ophthalmologist using various techniques and apparatus. For example, a specialist must necessarily make an examination of the bottom of the eyeball in order to clarify the diagnosis. For this, the doctor often uses special drops to dilate and relax the pupil.

In addition, the Amsler net is used for the examination, as well as fluorescent angiography. It is also possible to use computer techniques to determine the diagnosis. Usually the inspection procedure does not take more than 15 minutes. It can be performed by any oculist, since special equipment is often not required.

Types of the disease

I must say that macular degeneration of the eye can have two forms: dry and moist. Each of them has its own characteristics. For example, the first type is determined much more often than the second, but its treatment is more difficult. In addition, the dry form develops gradually and during detection is often very neglected. The peculiarity of this type of disease is that doctors are not yet fully aware of how it can be treated. However, in any case, experts advise you to adjust your diet so that the optimal amount of antioxidants, vitamins A and E is present in the diet. With dry maculopathy, the central part of the retina is completely dystrophic.

There is another type of pathology. The macular degeneration of the eye is a moist form of this disease. It is characterized by the fact that it develops very rapidly, but it occurs in only 10% of all known cases. The cause of this form of pathology is the development of additional blood vessels behind the retina. Moreover, they have very fragile walls, therefore, hemorrhages in the cavity of the eye are not infrequent. In addition, the connective tissue rapidly grows behind the retina, which contributes to poor eyesight.

It should be noted that a wet form of pathology can be cured if it is detected at an early stage of development.

There is another type of this pathology - senile macular degeneration. It is characterized by the fact that the blood vessels of the eye begin to become thinner and brittle. In this case, the nutrition of the visual organ is significantly impaired, and the efficiency of the macula is reduced.

Features of traditional treatment of the disease

There are specially developed methods for eliminating the represented defect of the visual organ. Naturally, the treatment becomes effective if the pathology has been detected in time. If you have maculopathy, the reasons for its appearance (their analysis) will help to prescribe the right therapy. An experienced doctor should deal with the elimination of the disease. Folk methods of treatment are not a panacea in this case, however they can be a supplement to traditional therapy.

In addition, specialists can use a special drug "Lucentis", which helps to eliminate edema of the macula and prevents new vessels from appearing behind the retina. Naturally, such a medicine must be injected into the eye. Symptomatic therapy is also used, that is, the elimination of tearing, washing the eyes to relieve inflammation. It is also necessary to take medicines that promote the expansion and strengthening of blood vessels.

The dry form of the disease is practically not amenable to treatment for today.

Whether it is necessary to spend operative intervention?

If the disease is very neglected and greatly complicates a person's life, then an operation is possible. However, it is done in individual cases in the absence of contraindications. Often in modern clinics, laser therapy is used with the simultaneous use of the drug "Visudin", which is injected into the eye before the intervention and contributes to the sensitivity of the vessels to radiation. Thanks to this procedure, the area of damage to the visual cells is significantly reduced.

A good effect is provided by photodynamic therapy. As for surgical intervention, now this method is still being finalized and tested. For example, physicians investigate the effectiveness of removing membranes from newly formed vessels. Naturally, all these processes are very delicate and laborious, so a good specialist must conduct them.

Prevention of pathology

Macular degeneration of the eye, the treatment of which gives an effect only if all the prescriptions of the doctor are observed, is a complex disease. Naturally, it is necessary to take measures that will reduce the development of pathology or prevent its appearance. For example, it is necessary to establish a regime and quality of nutrition. Do not walk under the open sunlight without darkening glasses (quality!). Be sure to part with bad habits, especially with smoking.

During the reading, observe the hygiene of the vision, the room should be well lit. Try to select text written in medium and large print.