Macular Degeneration and Retina
by Catherine Wacheke
(Kenya, Africa)
This is an age related deterioration of the macula in the eye and it leads to loss of vision.
The macula is found in the retina and it is responsible for sharp central vision used for instance when reading.
There are two forms of Macular Degeneration namely; wet also called neovascular and dry also known as non-neovascular.
Dry Macular Degeneration occurs in the primary stages of the disease. It is characterized by the appearance of yellow spots due to the thinning of macular tissue.
Wet Macular Degeneration is where the blood vessels grow under the retina.
Blood and other fluids leak out and cause damage to the retina leading to blindness. Some of its symptoms are shadowy and blurry vision.
A retinal exam is conducted by an ophthalmologist where tests are then conducted to verify whether it is Macular Degeneration.
This disease has no known cure yet but there are treatments that can delay its progression or even make the vision a little better. The treatments vary depending on the stage of the disease.
