What is new in the treatment and diagnosis of macular degeneration?

---

I know there is no cure for it, but there are things a person can do to help slow its progress, like vitamins, antioxidants, and eating vegetables.
you can get some information from: http://www.healthmedicalinformation.com/category/healthy-ageing/macular-degeneration

All the best  (+ info)

When a doctor refers to water behind the eye with macular degeneration, what does that mean?

---

My mom is 90 and now the doctor is sending her for a shot in the eye. Is this dangerous?
you need to get clarification from the doctor, either you or your mom haven't understood what he said, because what you have said here makes little sense. call the doctor and tell him you don't understand, it's his job to explain himself clearly.  (+ info)

How do Antioxidants prevent of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and macular degeneration?

---

What do the antioxidants do to promote prevention?
Antioxidants can cancel out the cell-damaging effects of free radicals, and people who eat fruits and vegetables rich in polyphenols and anthocyanins have a lower risk of cancer, heart disease and some neurological diseases This observation suggested that these compounds might prevent conditions such as macular degeneration suppressed immunity due to poor nutrition and neurodegeneration, which are caused by oxidative stress However, despite the clear role of oxidative stress in cardiovascular disease, controlled studies using antioxidant vitamins have observed no reduction in either the risk of developing heart disease, or the rate of progression of existing disease This suggests that other substances in fruit and vegetables (possibly flavonoids) at least partially explain the better cardiovascular health of those who consume more fruit and vegetables
It is thought that oxidation of low density lipoprotein in the blood contributes to heart disease, and initial observational studies found that people taking Vitamin E supplements had a lower risk of developing heart disease.Consequently, at least seven large clinical trials were conducted to test the effects of antioxidant supplement with Vitamin E, in doses ranging from 50 to 600 mg per day. However, none of these trials found a statistically significant effect of Vitamin E on overall number of deaths or on deaths due to heart disease It is not clear if the doses used in these trials or in most dietary supplements are capable of producing any significant decrease in oxidative stress

While several trials have investigated supplements with high doses of antioxidants, the "Supplémentation en Vitamines et Mineraux Antioxydants" (SU.VI.MAX) study tested the effect of supplementation with doses comparable to those in a healthy diet Over 12,500 French men and women took either low-dose antioxidants (120 mg of ascorbic acid, 30 mg of vitamin E, 6 mg of beta carotene, 100 μg of selenium, and 20 mg of zinc) or placebo pills for an average of 7.5 years. The investigators found there was no statistically significant effect of the antioxidants on overall survival, cancer, or heart disease. However, a subgroup analysis showed a 31% reduction in the risk of cancer in men, but not women.

Many nutraceutical and health food companies now sell formulations of antioxidants as dietary supplements and these are widely used in industrialized countries These supplements may include specific antioxidant chemicals, like resveratrol (from grape seeds), combinations of antioxidants, like the "ACES" products that contain beta carotene (provitamin A), vitamin C, vitamin E and Selenium, or herbs that contain antioxidants - such as green tea and jiaogulan. Although some levels of antioxidant vitamins and minerals in the diet are required for good health, there is considerable doubt as to whether antioxidant supplementation is beneficial, and if so, which antioxidant(s) are beneficial and in what amounts.]

It has been suggested that moderate levels of oxidative stress may increase life expectancy of in the worm Caenorhabditis elegans, by inducing a protective response to increased levels of reactive oxygen species However, the suggestion that increased life expectancy comes from increased oxidative stress conflicts with results seen in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the situation in mammals is even less clear.

[  (+ info)

Any advice for my Grandma who has macular degeneration?

---

She can still see but poorly and I wondered if anyone had used the magnifying devices, living aids etc?
Macular degeneration is caused by angiogenesis, she can try to use resveratrol as a treatment to counter and prevent further degeneration of the blood vessels.
New research has arised using resveratrol to treat several eye diseases. This compound has already been proven to be beneficial in lung cancer treatments and to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

The cited sources have the information on the recent studies.  (+ info)

What sort of treatments are there for Age-related macular degeneration? What treatments will the future hold?

---

I am just wondering what treatments there are for elderly adults who have this right now. And what sort of treatments might we see in the future that will reverse this condition?
As far as reversal, I have not read or heard anything as of yet, however I am certain that no_one should ever feel that hope is not in store for this degenerative affliction. I have been diagnosed with macular degeneration just this past year...I am determined to strive towards Holistic/Naturalistic avenues, increased vitamins for eyesight was perscribed to me, which only helps alleviate the speed of degenerative process to date thus far...Avoid sunlight exposure, get a good pair of sunglasses that blocks the harmful UV rays...WEAR them! Eat a diet that enhances the absorption of Vitamin A, Lutinen & carotenes necessary for eyesight development etc...go online & do a google seach for more info on age-related macular degeneration...there are very good diagrams/photos to help you understand what is really occurring...some procedures are available in attempt to correct one's eyesight you will read about...Best of luck~  (+ info)

Any parents have a young child diagnosed with macular degeneration?

---

If so, which tests were performed to diagnose it?
How was it treated?
If surgery, what was the approximate out of pocket cost?
If ocular vitamins, what was the approximate cost, monthly?
And, most importantly, how is your child(ren) faring after treatment?
Thank you so much!
I don't know anyone with a child with macular degeneration but, I did find a site called: Foundation Fighting Blindness( Stargardt Disease) it looks like worth reading & maybe able to help you in other ways mention. Good Luck.  (+ info)

What is the difference between Macular Dystrophy and Macular Degeneration?

---

No, I don't mean Muscular Dystrophy, I am refering to MACULAR Dystrophy. I have been diagnosed with Macular Dystrophy, My father had Macular Degeneration, And I was wondering how close they were to each other.
Macular Dystrophy (of retina) is an hereditary condition in which there is a degeneration of the retinal receptors in the region of the macula. Of the known macular dystrophies, Best's Disease, Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy and Bulls Eye Maculopathy are the most common. They tend to come on earlier in life and cause a reduction in central vision.

Age Related Macular degeneration (ARMD) is a disease that causes progressive damage to the macula. When the macula degenerates, people experience blurring or darkness in the center of their vision and tasks such as reading and driving are affected. The words on a page may look blurred, a dark or empty area may appear in the center of vision, or straight lines may look distorted.

To summarize - Macular degeneration is a general term used to describe any type of degenerative process in the macula region of the retina. Macular degeneration could be hereditory or age related.

Macular dystrophy is a term used for hereditory degeneration of the macular region of retina as in Best's disease.

Most often when we use the term macular degeneration we really mean 'Age-related macular degeneration of the dry or wet kind'.  (+ info)

Is macular degeneration a genetic problem which can be passed on?

---

I know of several families with 3-4 members who have the problem
I have been told that the gene which causes macular degeneration must be passed on by both parents. Is this correct
When both parents carry the mutated gene and a normal gene, there is a 25% chance that their offspring can inherit both mutated genes and therefore develop macular dystrophy/degeneration. More than one family member may develop Stargardt’s. The other 75% of offspring may carry the recessive gene and would in turn affect their children if they marry someone with the recessive gene or someone who has macular dystrophy/degeneration.
These macular dystrophies all have different genetic patterns or ways of inheritance. Some may be passed on in a dominant pattern, others as a recessive pattern and still others as an x-linked trait carried by females and affecting males only. For many with recessive inheritance patterns, it comes often as a surprise because a family might never have known anyone in their family history who was affected. For those of a dominant pattern, it may be quite different as some persons of generation after generation are affected  (+ info)

i suffer from macular degeneration, since this morning I notice a oval star the size of a quarter in my vision

---

which travels from the center of my vision to the right, what is it?
If it travels it is most likely a floater, but you should definately get it checked ASAP (today if possible) because it could be anything. Most problems are treatable if seen to early.  (+ info)

Do i have to ask a doctor to find out if i have macular degeneration?

---

My grandma has this and its basically ruined her life. I'd like to know ahead of time if im gonna be up against it, but i dont really feel like paying a doctor to tell me in fifty years i'll have problems. Can you trace genetics or something?
If you were absolutely sure that your genetics were going to cause macular degeneration, this is what you would do:
1. Stop smoking or don't start.
2. Limit your alcohol intake.
3. Eat a diet high in fruit and vegetables. If you cant mange that, take a multivitamin like Ocuvite.
4. Protect your eyes from ultra-violet light by wearing hats and sunglasses.
5. Limit the amount of fatty foods you eat.
As you can see, none of these things will harm you if it turned out that you were unlikely to have macular degeneration. If you don't want to go to the eye doctor, you can start doing these things.  (+ info)

---

---

• Home
• Our method
• Usage examples
• Index

• Statistics
• Contact

---