Sight-Stealer #3 - Macular Degeneration

Glaucoma and cataracts — two of the major age-related sight stealers. Today we will look at the third of the big three: macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration is the gradual breakdown of the macula cells. The macula is the small, yellowish part of the eye near the center of the retina. You don’t want it to break down, because this is your central vision, the point where your vision is most exact. This part is crucial for reading, writing, driving, and recognizing faces. You can see how your life would dramatically change if you could no longer do these things!

There are two types of age-related macular degeneration (armd). The dry form is the most common. In this form, fatty yellow material called drusens develop in the macula. They restrict the blood flow and cause damage to the macular cells. Result — blurred vision.

The other type is even more serious. In the wet form of armd, new abnormal blood vessels form near the macular and cause swift loss of vision.

How do you know if you have it? The symptoms are:

Blank or dark areas in the center of your vision
Colors appear more dim and less distinct.
Shapes look blurred, fuzzy, or hazy.
Words are hard to read because they are blurred.
The center of vision looks foggy or cloudy.

Is it hopeless? Until recently doctors thought so. New research is showing, though, that it is another of many lifestyle-related diseases. There are things you can avoid to help prevent the onset of macular degeneration and nutritional support that can slow down or even reverse the disease.