Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Macular Degeneration is a disease of the eye that gradually causes loss of a person’s central vision. Approximately 1.75 million Americans suffer from vision loss associated with the disease (All About Vision 1). The leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 60, Macular Degeneration, exists in two types (National Eye Institute 1). Both the wet and dry versions of the disease have similarities in risk factors, but differ in symptoms and treatments.

The research topic I will be introducing is Age-Related Macular Degeneration. This has been classified as a degenerative disorder that distresses the macula in one’s eye. AMD is unfortunately a common illness that individuals over 65 suffer from and that is a central cause vision loss. AMD doesn’t have a set disease pathway, in some individuals it advances slowly so that loss of vision does not arise for a long time. The disease can also advance much quicker and may lead to lack of vision in either or both eyes. The disease begins a blurry area near the center of one’s vision which grows larger and larger possibly causing a blank space in the eye (Boyd, 2013). Research is being done on AMD because it is a prevalent illness and has extreme consequences.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is one of such currently untreatable causes of blindness. RP, along with Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) are amongst the more frequent causes of blindness in the developed world (Greenwald 2009), while RP itself is the leading cause of inherited blindness (Palanker 2004).

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness for people 60 years of age and older in the developed world. Vision loss is caused by the destruction of the cone photoreceptors, located in the macula, that are responsible for color/central vision. The underlying cause of AMD is the loss of the monolayer of pigmented epithelial cells located just below the photoreceptors, known as the retinal pigmentum epithelium (RPE). The main role of the RPE is to maintain the function of the photoreceptor layer by secreting nutrients, absorbing stray light, and recycling debris used during the visual cycle. As a person ages the efficiency of the RPE layer is diminished causing a build up of toxic by-products. These toxic build-ups, known as drusens, result in the separation and death of the photoreceptor and RPE layers. AMD is speculated to result from as many as 20 different genetic mutations and as a result there is no known cure for the disease (CITE), but recent advances in stem cell therapy is a hopeful step in the right direction.

For the health condition description of age-related macular degeneration I will discuss the etiology, onset, prevalence rate, body systems, body structures, and associated deficits that come and are associated with this disease. “AMD is the degradation of the cells at the center of the retina which is the layer of tissue at the back of the eye that registers light. The macula is responsible for ventral vision, which enables us to read, drive, participate in sports, and do anything else that requires focusing directly ahead. Macular degeneration distorts the heart of the vision field” (Macular degeneration, 1998). Sunlight and smoking are both influences of the onset of AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), 2014). It is suggested to avoid intense bright sunlight which may help reduce the retinal degeneration. Hats, sunglasses and any other accessories that can help protect the eyes from the sun are suggested. Cigarette smoking has also been linked to increasing the risk of developing AMD and it is recommended that persons should stop smoking to decrease their chance of developing AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), 2014). AMD does not develop until the sixth or seventh decade of life, although early

Age related macular degeneration is a loss of function of the macula, it is more commonly known as AMD. AMD is the most common cause for vision loss in adult s over the age of 55. The macula, located in the central part of the eye, is what is being damaged. This part of the eye is what enables us to see substances that are directly in front of the field of vision.

Retinal vein occlusion is the second leading cause of vascular disorder after diabetic retinopathy.1 Retinal vein occlusions are classified into 3 categories depending on the location of the thrombus formation; branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), and hemi retinal vein occlusion (Hemi-RVO). 7 BRVO is considered to be the most common among the retinal vein occlusions.6 BRVO occurs more often in men than women. Asians (5.7 per 1000) and Hispanics (6.9 per 1000) are at greater risk of developing BRVO than other ethnicities.6 The age range of patients diagnosed with retinal vein occlusion ranges from young as 14 years of age to old as 92 years of age, with 51% of patients being older than 65 years.3 Advancing age is an important risk factor for developing retinal vein occlusions. Prevalence of retinal vein occlusions in 40-49 years old is 1.57 per 1,000, 4.58 per 1,000 in 50-59 years old, 11.11 per 1,000 in 60-69 years old, 12.76 per 1,000 in 70-79 years old, and 10.32 per 1,000 in those older than 80 years.6

As humans, we don't always see with our eyes, but often with our imagination (Grunwald, 2016). Often times as people we never realize how useful our vision really is to us. You really don't think about something like that until it would actual happen to you. Throughout this essay, you will learn how the body is affected by Macular Degeneration (MD). Different signs and symptoms, as well as the etiology of MD, will be discussed. In the following, diagnosis tests and treatments may also be listed in order to help others who would like to know more about MD. Not to mention, you will learn the incidence and progression of MD. Furthermore, information though agencies and associations, as well as new research about MD will be given.

In this regard, glaucoma may be viewed as a chronic neurodegenerative disease similar to Alzheimer disease, and a slow build up of β-amyloid in ganglion cells may eventually trigger cell death and optic nerve axon loss. Recent studies have shown that ischemic or pressureloaded glial cells produce TNF-α, which results in oligodendrocytes death and the subsequent apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells [31]. Tezel et al. [21] found that TNF- α or TNF-α receptor-1 (TNF-R1) are raised in the retina of glaucomatous eyes compared with levels in normal eyes, suggesting that cell death mediated by TNF-α is

and proteins leak out of the abnormal blood vessels. The fluids then collect in the retina and

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by blocked blood flow to the eye, causing ischemia or increased permeability of the blood vessels in the eye. Macular edema is caused by swelling in the eye due to the increased permeability, and both of these are common causes of vision loss of those with diabetes. Some factors that can be seen in the retina from a fundoscopic exam that can cause these issues (all of which were detected in our patient), are micro-aneurysms, intrarenal hemorrhages, and hard exudates. All three of these can disrupt the blood-retinal barrier, causing issues with blood flow and swelling. Additionally, lipids and proteins both play important roles in the eye, and if there is improper breakdown of these molecules, they can make deposits in the outer layer eye. The more deposits (hard exudates) a patient has, the larger affect it can have on their vision.

Eyes are considered one of, or the most important of the five senses and one that is taken with huge appreciation, but many are unaware of the certain risk factors that are performed daily which can influence the quality of vision in the long term. According to the According to the Centers for disease control and prevention (2013) in the United States, the most common eye disorders are age related and can lead to reduction in vision or complete blindness; they include: age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. Smoking is commonly known to cause certain cancers and heart diseases, but not commonly associated with its effect on the visual system and its link to the development of these common conditions. According to Rennie et al. (2012) ‘forty-seven percent knew of the link between smoking and eye disease’. To try and promote the influence cigarettes have on the visual system, the Royal national institute for blind people (2011) has suggested including pictures and a helpline number on each cigarette packet to deter the smokers. Moreover, one of the many side effects of smoking is that it raises blood pressure. Therefore, alongside recommendations to refrain from smoking to prevent an increase in pressure, there are certain nutrients that are known to decrease blood pressure. These can prove to be a very effective treatment for ocular diseases linked to diabetes such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Despite the harmful effects of

Age related Macular Degeneration or AMD is a disease that affects millions of Americans every year. There are several factors that contribute to this disease, those being: exposure to bright light, diet, hereditary factors and gender. The main ones that can be controlled consist of exposure to bright light and diet. Those that cannot be controlled are hereditary factors and gender. Prevention of macular degeneration consists of reducing the eyes exposure to bright light and the daily diet of the person at risk. What I seek to explore is if adopting to the Mediterranean diet will create the needed health benefit to prevent the onset of AMD. The Mediterranean diet is one which focuses on eating seafood, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and healthy fats from things such as olive

There are a few ways doctors test for the presence of macular degeneration and other vision loss causing conditions. With a recommended eye exam every two years or so, ophthalmologist and optometrist usually perform the basic “visual acuity test”. This is the test at the beginning at almost every doctor’s visit, and usually starts with a larger print “E”. The dilated eye exam is the test where your health care professional adds drops to your eyes. These drops cause our pupils to dilate, allowing for a clearer view of the retinal and optic nerve structures at the back of the globe. Another test that may be performed, is the Amsler Grid exam. Referring back to figure 2.a, which is an example of an Amsler grid, is a test that involves the patient

Cataractogenesis, or opacification of the ocular lens of the eyes (cataracts), is a multifactorial process that may be initiated by oxidative damage from oxygen radicals [1]. Cataracts are the world's leading cause of blindness, accounting for approximately 42% of all cases of blindness in all nations [1,2]. In most cases, cataracts are age-related [3,4]; in other cases, it may be related to eye trauma, long-term diabetes, corticosteroid medications or radiation treatments [5]. Although surgery is often effective in restoring vision [6], this intervention still remains a major healthcare cost in Europe and other Western countries [7].