Senior Living News

What Is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration is a medical condition that affects the retina, which is the part of the eye responsible for converting images into electrical signals. These signals travel along the optic nerve, allowing you to see the world around you. The retina has several parts, but the macula is one of the most important as it helps you see fine details.

In people with age-related macular degeneration, aging damages the macula, impairing your central vision. Poor central vision makes it difficult to drive, read and perform other tasks. MD is classified as either wet or dry.

• Wet MD: Wet MD occurs when you have abnormal blood vessels at the back of your eye. If one of those vessels bursts, it leaks protein and fluids into the eye, causing severe vision loss.
• Dry MD: Dry MD accounts for up to 90% of all macular degeneration cases. It develops when the macula begins to thin out, causing it to break down. People with dry MD typically have drusen deposits under their retinas. A drusen deposit contains proteins and lipids.

Risk Factors for Macular Degeneration

Some people have an elevated risk of developing MD. These are the most common factors:

• Age: Macular degeneration is more common in people who are 50 and older.
• Smoking: The chemicals in cigarettes cause changes in the eyes that may lead to macular degeneration, cataracts or other eye conditions.
• Diet high in saturated fat: Saturated fats may encourage inflammation, increasing the risk for MD.
• High blood pressure: People with essential hypertension have a higher risk of developing MD, although researchers aren't sure why. Essential hypertension is high blood pressure that isn't caused by another medical condition.

Symptoms of Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration doesn't always affect two people the same way, but there are some common symptoms:

• Blurry vision
• Fuzzy vision
• Straight lines appear curvy or wavy
• Loss of central vision
• Development of a blind spot in the center of vision
• Trouble recognizing people

Macular Degeneration Treatment Options

MD has no cure, but there are treatment options to prevent it from getting worse. If you have the wet version, your eye care professional may recommend the following:

• Photodynamic therapy: Photodynamic therapy involves injecting a light-sensitive drug into the eye and then using a laser to destroy abnormal blood cells. Thanks to the development of new treatments, PD isn't as common as it used to be.
• Injectable medications: Vascular endothelial growth factor, also known as VEGF, is involved in the formation of new blood vessels. Since wet MD occurs due to the growth of abnormal vessels in the eye, some ophthalmologists recommend anti-VEGF injections. These injections block VEGF production, reducing the risk that new blood vessels will form.
• Laser photocoagulation: During this procedure, an eye care professional uses a laser to destroy leaky blood vessels.

Although these treatments may help slow the progression of MD, they also have some risks, such as eye damage, retinal detachment, severe vision loss and eye infections.

If you have dry MD, your doctor may recommend nutritional supplements to support improved eye health. Supplements containing these ingredients have been shown to help some people with dry MD:

• Copper
• Lutein
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Zeaxanthin
• Zinc

Tips for Seniors With Macular Degeneration

If you lose some of your vision, you may have to change your living environment or make some lifestyle changes. Try these tips to make your life a little easier:

• Reposition items you use frequently: Macular degeneration doesn't affect your peripheral vision, which is what you can see to the side. If your central vision declines, repositioning your belongings may help you see them more clearly. For example, if you use a tablet, put it to the side instead of holding it straight in front of you.
• Adjust your lighting: Extra lighting may help compensate for some of the vision loss associated with MD. If possible, add task lighting to your living room, bedroom and kitchen. It may also be helpful to clip a small light to a hat or visor.
• Use smart devices: Smart devices use wireless technology to operate thermostats, lights, locks and other items. Instead of having to squint at each item, you can use a mobile app or voice-activated speaker to perform specific tasks.
• Increase the contrast in your home: Many people with MD have trouble distinguishing similar colors. For example, if you have off-white paint on your walls, it may be difficult to see a light switch or outlet. Make it easier to see these items by putting colored tape around them. It's also helpful to add colorful blankets to couches and chairs to make it easier to see where you're supposed to sit.

At Autumn View Gardens in Ellisville, Missouri, we're dedicated to promoting safety for all residents. Our assisted living community has a wide variety of services and amenities to help seniors with macular degeneration and other health conditions get more enjoyment out of life.