Macular degeneration is an eye disease that occurs after the destruction of central vision. Lesions occur in the macula, a small area located on the back of the eyeball. The macula is involved in the color and the detail of objects which are needed for central vision.
Central vision is needed in carrying out activities like reading, driving vehicles and recognition of individuals. Since macular degeneration affects no peripheral vision, blindness is not complete. The risk of developing macular degeneration increases at advanced age, starting with 50.
There are two forms of macular degeneration. Both forms affect only one eye, but if one eye is affected by it, the other one will most likely be affected too.
Dry macular degeneration (nonexudative) is the most common form (90% of cases). It occurs gradually and it doesn't often cause severe loss of vision. In this form, cells and blood vessels within the macula will be destroyed and will produce hypertrophic deposits (drusen) in the back of the eye. This causes damage to the macula and affects the ability to send messages to the brain. Central vision is gradually becoming weaker or increasingly blurred.
Wet macular degeneration (exudative) is less common, only 10% of cases. It can cause permanent damage to the macula during several months or even weeks. Exudative form occurs in cases where there is already the nonexudative form. It will cause the neoformation of blood vessels (abnormal) that are fragile. These vessels bleed and cause the destruction of the macula. They will also change the normal position of the macula, located in the back of the eye,thus destroying central vision.
Central vision is needed in carrying out activities like reading, driving vehicles and recognition of individuals. Since macular degeneration affects no peripheral vision, blindness is not complete. The risk of developing macular degeneration increases at advanced age, starting with 50.
There are two forms of macular degeneration. Both forms affect only one eye, but if one eye is affected by it, the other one will most likely be affected too.
Dry macular degeneration (nonexudative) is the most common form (90% of cases). It occurs gradually and it doesn't often cause severe loss of vision. In this form, cells and blood vessels within the macula will be destroyed and will produce hypertrophic deposits (drusen) in the back of the eye. This causes damage to the macula and affects the ability to send messages to the brain. Central vision is gradually becoming weaker or increasingly blurred.
Wet macular degeneration (exudative) is less common, only 10% of cases. It can cause permanent damage to the macula during several months or even weeks. Exudative form occurs in cases where there is already the nonexudative form. It will cause the neoformation of blood vessels (abnormal) that are fragile. These vessels bleed and cause the destruction of the macula. They will also change the normal position of the macula, located in the back of the eye,thus destroying central vision.
No comments:
Post a Comment