why are there multi-colored images associated with macular degeneration?

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My wife has wet macular degeneration and receives regular shots of Lucentis. Lately she reports seeing "flowers" of various colors in her field of vision even though there are none there. Are the "flowers" a result of the disease or a result of the shots?
could be either. probably cortical images anyway...doubtful that she's "seeing" those with her EYES...more like her brain is creating the image in the absence of good info from the eyes  (+ info)

the new stem cell research for Macular degeneration?

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I recently read that there is a stem cell research in progress for Macular degeneration. They said it seems promising in "treating" Macular degeneration. They have not yet translated it on humans though, only done on mice. They said within 5 years (if successful) it would be an actual treatment.

However, is it for both types? ( Dry and Wet)?
& how promising do you think it is?
Go to www.blindness.org for info.  (+ info)

Has anyone stopped or reversed macular degeneration?

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Have you or anyone you know had any good results in dealing with macular degeneration?
If you are referring to age related macular degeneration,then the answer is yes.Nowadays lot of drugs are available which can be injected inside the eye.They are called anti-VEGF agents.They can stop the vision from getting worse and in some cases can improve the vision also.For more info follow the link.
www.geocities.com/mihir_shah_m/armd1  (+ info)

Activity on macular degeneration for class project?

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Hi, I need an activity on macular degeneration, to close my project off with thanks.
Try vision simulators - you could create cardboard glasses by yourself, or use kits developed by Lee Memorial Health System for Aging Sensitivity Training.

Here is a computer simulator:
http://www.aao.org/eyecare/conditions/macular-degeneration/simulator.cfm  (+ info)

Is there any treatment, therapy or cure for Charles Bonnet Syndrome accompanying macular degeneration?

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A 92 year old relative with severe macular degeneration in one eye and visual impairment in the other suffers from hallucinations (Charles Bonnet Syndrome) for days at a time even with her eyes closed. We have tried changing available light, exercise, changing what she is looking at during the day, and avoiding TV, but nothing helps. It is causing great anxiety even though she knows that her eye condition causes the hallucinations. Does anything help? This even prevents her from sleeping since the hallucinations are present when she closes her eyes.
Hi, I have done some reading on this fascinating but dreadful to live with syndrome. i can't find anything that you are not already doing.there are lots of studies, but really not much known about why the people with the syndrome see the same sorts of visions. Sorry I can't be pf more help.  (+ info)

Can you recommend magnifiers and other visual aids for Macular Degeneration?

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My 88-year-old Aunt has fairly severe Macular Degeneration in both eyes and I want to get her the best visual aid/magnifier that I can. I'm mainly interested in straight optical devices, but if you know of a video device that's particularly good, I would be interested in that too. I bought her a 2-inch diameter 5x aspherical magnifier and she likes it, but wants something bigger (larger diameter). I've seen these binocular glasses that look interesting, but I don't know what to think about them. Any advice will be appreciated.
There are many kinds of devices available and many kinds of people that will try sell you something. I am biased, but I urge you to take a look at our web site at www.bierley.com and give our products some thought. We help tens of thousands of people each year and would be pleased to help your aunt too.  (+ info)

Why Does Macular Degeneration start in the center of the eye?

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The macula is the spot in the back of the eye were that image seen by the eye is focused. As the macula if dieing the center of the image is lsot/blurred.  (+ info)

What causes macular degeneration?

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What causes macular degeneration? I heard a rumor it can be caused by being outside in bright sunlight without sunglasses. Is that true? If so, it it the bright visible light or ultraviolet light doing the damage?
people develop macular degeneration as part of the body's natural aging process. Less commonly, macular degeneration may be an inherited condition, as in the case of juvenile macular degeneration. Injury, infection, inflammation or extreme nearsightedness may also damage the delicate tissue of the macula.

The two most common types of age related macular degeneration are "dry" (atrophic) and "wet"(exudative):

"Dry" macular degeneration (also called atrophic or invilutional macular degeneration):

By far the most common type, "dry" macular degeneration is caused by aging and thinning of the tissues of the macula. Vision loss is usually gradual.

"Wet" macular degeneration (also called exudative or hemorrhaging macular degeneration):

Accounting for about 10% of all cases, "wet" macular degeneration results when abnormal blood vessels form at the back of the eye. These new blood vessels leak fluid and blood. Leaking fluid distorts and blurs central vision, often resulting in dense scar tissue in the macula. Vision loss may be rapid and severe.  (+ info)

How would you verify a diagnosis of macular degeneration?

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What tests could be performed, or how could you be certain that someone has it? (Doing this for school and can't find definite answers online. I'm hoping an optometrist or ophthalmologist will answer)

thanks
The studies done for macular disease include, vision, which will most likely be lower than normal. With everything else in the eye ' normal' such as the cornea and lens and the vitreous all being clear, the only two things left besides neurological problems...are the macula and the optic nerve.

Assuming the optic nerve is normal, the retina is left.

The macula has a fairly constant form or shape. The anatomy is looked at directly using some sort of imaging device such as a small lens. The shape, or form of the macula, it's color, the amount of fluid, presence of other problems such as diabetes, hypertensive or other vascular disorders that 'leak', or choroidal problems such as central serous choroidopathy being ruled out almost immediately just by looking, sends one to other forms of diagnosis. These include fluorescein angiography, ICG angiography, and comparative fundus photography. These almost always tell the story. Now days we use Ocular Coherent Tomography or OCT which gives a true 'cross section' of the retina, the nerve fiber layers, macula, pigment layers, bruch's membrane, internal limiting membrane, tissues on the surface of the retina, dilated vessels, fluid, blood, exudate....all show up. The scan takes about a second.

Try the American Academy of Ophthalmology web site. Go to retina, macular degeneration, etc.

You can also find a nice site from a retina surgeon in Florida called The Macula Center. Dr.D. has a section there on macular disease and the different types and diagnostic tools used.

That should get you started....  (+ info)

Does age-related macular degeneration qualify to be classed as a disability in the UK?

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I am elderly and also want to know if UK social services will be able to help me to cope with this progressive disease.
I believe it does. But I also believe your eyes need to reach a certain level before you can get any benefit. The best thing is to talk to your optometrist or the doctor as you will need them to supply proof anyway  (+ info)

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