Age-Related Macular Degeneration Leads to Severe Vision and Blindnes in Our Elderly

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.

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.

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.

Macular Degeneration is a disease that affects the retina of the eye. The retina is a layer in the back of the eye that helps us to see. It is also the lining of the eye that helps us respond to light. However, when having macular degeneration there are major changes in a person's central vision. The disease causes central images to appear blurred and then dark spots may begin to appear that get larger and larger. It may also be very hard to see straight lines as Macular Degeneration may cause them to be curved. When having this disease color may appear to be darker and less vivid than normal.

Macular Degeneration is the most common irreversible central vision loss problem in people over 60 in the United States.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can take two possible forms. Neovascular AMD (wet-AMD) or non-neovascular AMD (dry-AMD) as discussed in the introduction. The available treatment involved in curing patients suffering from AMD differs between the two types of the disease. Neovascular AMD has previously been treated by coagulation therapies of the blood vessel present in the fovea (part of the retina where the ability of vision is the highest). These therapies involve the use of infrared laser light to destroy any additional or new vascular cells in the fovea with the objective of avoiding the leakage of blood vessels. This would prevent photoreceptors from further being damaged and so won’t deteriorate vision any further. However,

Macular degeneration is an “ visual impairment caused by damage to the retina, specifically photoreceptors” ( Breedlove & Watson 323). There are two types of macular degeneration known “ dry” and “ wet”. Dry is the most commonly known type of macular degeneration. It is caused by “ atrophy of the retinal pigmented epithelium” ( 323). This type of macular degeneration can cause the photoreceptors to be destroyed.

Glaucoma is a family of diseases that if left untreated can lead to permanent blindness. “Primary open-angle glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States and worldwide (Goldberg).” African Americans are four to five

Eyes are one of the most delicate portions of the human body. It is vital to maintain a good care routine for the wellbeing of the eyes and to uphold a good vision. The significance of the regular checkups cannot be overlooked. It is the only way to guarantee that the state of eyes remains healthy and appropriate attention can be given to signs and indications of any problem. The prominence of regular checkups upsurges even more in elder adults because vision starts to weaken with age. Most common vision problem symptoms in elder adults include struggle in seeing small prints or close objects, presence of tiny spots that glide across the vision, dry eyes, cloudy vision, burning, tears, redness, itching, night sightlessness, etc. There can be

Macular degeneration prognosis is different for every body and is different for each eye. One person may experience a different rate of progression.There is usually no way to know, once symptoms appear, how fast the disease will progress (Samuel, 2008). This disease can be prevented if it is detected and treated early.For the majority of people age related macular degeneration (AMD) progresses slowly and affects only their central vision. It is not blindness but it is considered low vision. High-risk patients should be included in a disease management program in an effort to prevent progression and low vison.

Cataracts develop as part of the aging process, so everyone is at risk eventually [4] . But there are factors increase risk of developing cataracts [4] . So, We identify these different risk factors

Roughly 30% of all of senior citizens over the age of 65 have some form of these five types of eye diseases.

In this article, I will be reviewing and interpreting data gathered from previously published articles. These articles will provide insight into understanding the effects that ophthalmologic diseases have on ocular dominance columns. The ophthalmologic diseases that will be discussed include different presentations of amblyopia, or monocular vision. More specifically, these include astigmatism, strabismus and cataracts.

Blindness or low vision is one of the most feared illness by Americans, ranking fourth after acquired immunodeficiency by syndrome, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. The National Eye Institute reports that blindness or low vision affect 3.3 million American 40 years and older, this number is projected to reach 5.5 million by 2020. As the U.S. population ages, the number of persons with major eye disease is increasing. Octogenarians currently make up 8 percent of the population, but they account for 69 percent of blindness. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) accounts for 54 percent of all blindness and is the leading cause of blindness among white Americans. Cataracts are the most prevalent eye disease in older persons and are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Almost all persons in their 90s will have had a cataract surgery is the most common therapeutic surgical procedure reimbursed by Medicare, with more than 1.5 million operations performed annually. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness in U.S. adults 20 to 74 years of age.