Age-Related Macular Degeneration - Research Paper Example

Macular Degeneration Introduction Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD), describes a number of pathology, but highly common conditions, which affect the macular that is a part of the retina of the eye (Holz et al. 99). This implies that it affects a person’s central vision, which is what is seen directly before the eye rather than what is observed at the periphery of vision. This condition usually develops unnoticeably, in some people, while it progresses faster, in some people, which lead to complete loss of vision, in both eyes (Holz et al. 101). Pathology of macular degeneration is progressively becoming a common phenomenon because of increased physician access, patient awareness, treatment and percentage of the population at risk for this health condition (Jager et al. 358). This is an indication that macular degeneration is a significant challenge to doctors, patients and the community since the cost of delivering quality health care has increased considerably. Additionally, macular degeneration is a significant health problem because it decreases the quality of life by blurring central vision in the central vision. This usually prevents people from performing many tasks such as reading, recognizing and driving. Therefore, this paper primarily describes macular degeneration with a focus on its symptoms, causes and treatment. Symptoms The symptoms for this condition usually develop progressively, and these are noticeable through vision changes. These include increased blurriness of printed words; difficulty in recognizing faces; the need for brighter light when performing a close work; difficulty in adapting to dim lights; a decrease in the brightness and intensity of colors; blind or blurred spot in the center of field of vision; impaired central vision; and hallucination of people or geometric shapes, in a situation of advanced macular degeneration (Holz et al. 139). It is also necessary to note that this condition may affect one or both eyes. In a case where only one eye is affected, it is difficult to notice any change in vision since the good eye may compensate for the weak one. Therefore, it is advisable to see a physician when a change in the central vision is detected. Causes Macular degeneration results when a portion of the retina gets impaired. The retina is part of the interior layer of the eye that is made up of nerves and receptor cells, which receive and relay light signals from the eye through the optic nerve to the brain for interpretation (Holz et al. 188). On the other hand, macula is the central portion of the retina, and it is involved in recognition, color vision, and detailed. Age-related macular degeneration is the significant cause of blindness, in the U.S., in people older than 55 years (Jager et al. 358). It also affects more than 1.75 million people per year, in the United States (Jager et al. 358). This number is expected to increase to approximately 3 million people by 2020 owing to the overall increase of life expectancy and rapid aging of the U.S. population. The dry form of age-related macular degeneration (atrophic) is caused by the gradual impairment of cells in the macula region that results into steady blurring of the central vision. The onset of this condition is characterized by single or multiple yellow-white spots called drusen, which are located on the outer retina (Jager et al. 358). Advanced dry macular degeneration (geographic atrophy) is caused by prolonged wasting changes in the sensory retina and nerves. Abnormal blood vessels that grow under the center of the retina cause wet form or exudative/neovascular form (Holz et al. 188). These blood vessels usually bleed, leak and from scar in the retina thus destroying and distorting central vision. This condition usually begins in one eye and may later spread to the other eye. Dry form also develops more rapidly than the dry form. Test and Diagnosis Physician may conduct a number of tests to diagnose dry macular degeneration and these include; examination of the back of an eye to inspect for mottled spots that are caused by drusen; test for defects in the central vision by using Amsler grid; fluorescein angiogram that highlights the status of blood vessels in the eye; and optical coherence tomography (OCT) that identifies areas of retina swelling, thickening and thinning (Ho 23). Additionally, dry macular degeneration is categorized into three phases depending on the progression of the impaired eye, and these include; (1) early stage characterized by few medium-sized drusen or large ones on both eyes. At this stage, vision loss is not experienced. (2) Intermediate stage that is characterized by a large number of medium-sized drusen. Some people may notice vision blurriness at this stage. (3) Advanced stage is noted by several large drusen and severe breakdown of cells, in the macula (Ho 26). Victims usually have a well established blurring in the central vision, which progressively grow larger. Treatment and Drugs Doctors have identified that no treatment method or drug can reverse macular degeneration. However, this is not an indication that a patient will lose his or her vision once this condition begins developing. Therefore, the treatments and drugs given are meant to slow down the rate at which impairment of macular cells takes place. Recommended treatments include; Increased Vitamin Intake A high-dose formulation of antioxidant zinc and vitamins can reduce the development of dry macular degeneration. The National Eye Institute (NEI) recommends recommended a formulation that includes 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E, 15 mg of beta carotene, 80 mg of zinc (ZnO) and 2 mg of copper (CuO) (Ho 15). This formulation significantly reduces the spread of macular degeneration from one eye to the other and slows down the rate of macular development. In addition, doctors recommend high intake of more vegetables and fruits, which are rich in vitamins, in a patient’s diet. Current studies are also focusing on identifying the significance of lutein and omega-3 fatty acids in patients with macular degeneration (Ho 15). Surgery to Implant a Telescopic Lens in one Eye Doctors may recommend implantation of a telescopic lens in one eye, in advanced cases of macular degeneration in both eyes (Ho 135). This is specifically meant to improve vision of one eye. This lens has lenses that significantly magnifies a patient’s field of vision. Therefore, they improve both close-up and distance vision. Works Cited Ho A. C. Age-Related Macular Degeneration Diagnosis and Treatment. New York: Springer, 2011. Print Holz et al. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. New York: Springer, 2013. Print Jager et al. "Age-Related Macular Degeneration." N Engl J Med 2008; 358:2606-2617 (2008): 358. 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