What causes macular degeneration in the eyes? Have there been any advances in curing this condition?
553863
Many forms of macular degeneration may be linked to aging and related deterioration of eye tissue crucial for good vision. Duke University and other researchers have noted a strong association between development of the eye disease and presence of a variant of a gene known as complement factor H (CFH). This gene deficiency has been found to be associated with almost half of all potentially blinding cases of macular degeneration.\nThere is as yet no outright cure for macular degeneration, but some treatments may delay its progression or even improve vision.......
1087238
There are many diseases, disorders, and age-related changes that may affect the eyes.\n\nAs the eye ages certain changes occur that can be attributed solely to the aging process. Most of these anatomic and physiologic processes follow a gradual decline. With aging, the quality of vision worsens due to reasons independent of aging eye diseases. While there are many changes of significance in the nondiseased eye, the most functionally important changes seem to be a reduction in pupil size and the loss of accommodation or focusing capability (presbyopia). The area of the pupil governs the amount of light that can reach the retina. The extent to which the pupil dilates also decreases with age. Because of the smaller pupil size, older eyes receive much less light at the retina. In comparison to younger people, it is as though older persons wear medium-density sunglasses in bright light and extremely dark glasses in dim light. Therefore, for any detailed visually guided tasks on which performance varies with illumination, older persons require extra lighting. [1]\n\nWith aging a prominent white ring develops in the periphery of the cornea- called arcus senilis. Aging causes laxity and downward shift of eyelid tissues and atrophy of the orbital fat. These changes contribute to the etiology of several eyelid disorders such as ectropion, entropion, dermatochalasis, and ptosis. The vitreous gel undergoes liquefaction (posterior vitreous detachment or PVD) and its opacities - visible as floaters - gradually increase in number.\n\nVarious eye care professionals, including ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians, are involved in the treatment and management of ocular and vision disorders. At the conclusion of an eye examination, an eye doctor may provide the patient with an eyeglass prescription for corrective lenses.
1049206
it's probably not a disease but something we all experience sometimes. It sounds like"floaters", bits of stuff inside the eyeball that we see. Sometimes we see them more in bright sunlight. Go to an eye Dr. if you have a great deal of floaters. Usually nothing at all to worry about.
584839
Diabetic Retinopathy?\nRetinal Tears?\nAge-related Macular Degeneration?\nRetinal Detachment?\nPosterior Vitreous Detachment?\nRetinal Vascular Occlusions?\nVitreous Hemorrhage?\nMacular Holes?\nRetinitis Pigmentosa?\n\n\nTry the link I gave in my sources
586747
they are called phosphenes.\nit's caused by mechanical stimulation of the photoreceptors in your retina.
657123
No, it can't be cured in the real sense of the term. U can get relieved of the symptoms, can at best also stall inflammation, but can't reverse the damage done. Beware of steroids being given to u in name of 'ayurveda', beacuse they work wonderfully initially, but as u withdraw, the condition worsens much more. And anyway long-term treatment has many side-effects- increased chance of glaucoma, weight gain, gynecomastia (development of breast tissue in males), hair loss, diabetes, hypertension, heart attcak, etc.
711350
While even people with good control may suffer complications it is known that diabetic complications progresses more rapidly with poor control and good control will slow its progress.  Some complications like Neuropathy will actually reverse with good control not sure about macular degeneration.  There is also an age related form of macular degeneration. The good news is that you don't need to worry if you can't maintain good control at all times.  You still gain the benefits from the periods of good control that are never completely negated by the periods of poor control.  Have her to the Eye Dr. at least once a year.  As long as she can maintain good control and her exams show no progression the answer is a long time.  If there is a noticeable change from year to year you will have the opportunity to discuss other treatment options with the Eye Dr. and or lifestyle changes you will need to make.
593396
I'm sorry to say, no there is no cure for it.  There is a lot of research, but no cure yet.  They are coming out with medications that can help.
285860
For the best advice, consult with your regular doctor or your opthamologist / optometrist. \n\nI am not sure of the validity of the other response you have been given. Actually, strenuous exercise can make an eye condition worsen due to increased pressure / blood pressure. If you have a serious eye condition (such as retinal detachment) consult with your doctor before exercising to avoid further complications. \n\nGood luck and best wishes....
1089258
For one, cameras today can't produce the resolution that a human eye can produce.\n\nThey are working on artificial eyes and radar, and I think a Retinal Transplant might help you. Talk to your doctor about if you are a possible candidate.
68361
Your question intrigued me.  My uncle was recently diagnosed with macular degeneration, although I do not know if it is "wet" or "dry."  I found the following treatments for wet macular degeneration.  I hope you don't mind that I'm cutting and pasting...\n\nSurgeons have several techniques to treat "wet" macular degeneration, including:\n\n-Laser photocoagulation. This procedure is used to stop the abnormal growth of blood vessels that happens in "wet" macular degeneration. The surgeon focuses a laser beam onto a small spot on the macula where blood vessels are growing. The laser beam heats up that spot, creating a tiny burn in the blood vessels and stopping their growth. Unfortunately, vision does not come back in the areas treated with the laser. It is also very likely that new blood vessels will grow at some time in the future. \n\n-Photodynamic therapy. In this treatment, a special dye is injected into the bloodstream. This dye is actually a type of medication that only becomes active when very strong light, such as a laser, is shined on it. The surgeon activates the medication by focusing a laser onto the abnormal blood vessels that are growing in the macula. The medication works from inside the blood vessels to shrink them. This treatment causes much less damage to the macula, so there is less loss of vision. But the growth of abnormal blood vessels still might happen again in the future. \n\n-Macular surgery. There are two other treatments the surgeon might recommend for severe cases of "wet" macular degeneration. In both of these procedures, the surgeon makes openings into the eye for special instruments. One technique is to remove the tissue where the abnormal blood vessels are growing. Another method is to lift the macula off the area where the blood vessels are growing and place it in a more healthy part of the retina. These procedures often do not fully restore normal vision, however. \n\n\nI certainly hope this helps!  I've included the website.
917376
There is currently no accepted effective treatment for any of the varied forms of Retinitis Pigmentosa.\nSorry to be so blunt, but various odd remedies have been proposed and done harm, including financial and emotional, to those desperate enough to try them.\n\nBee sting treatment, keeping one eye occluded to "save it for later", to name but two.\n\nLimiting UV exposure, as CluelessOne has already mentioned, can do no harm and may reduce the rate of damage.  Good nutrition, again, may come into the same category, with particular emphasis on dark green vegetables (broccoli, Kale  etc.) for their eye-related antoxidants.\n\nUK Optometrist.
805713
Hi MakeEver\n\nHere is a testimonial and an idea on how to heal the issue.\n\nGlaucoma Disappears: I have a friend who had had eight major surgeries. She lived in constant pain, very seldom was she able to go places and her physician had told her their was nothing more they could do. \n\nShe went on Dr. Christopher's Three Day Cleanse and Mucusless Diet. She started on herbs to cleanse the colon,the blood Cayenne, Calc tea, Yucca AR, Herbal Eyebright, etc. In a matter of about three weeks, her pain was gone. She was able to start living again. In about 3 or 4 months her arthritis left her. \n\nShe had had glaucoma for 13 years. Her glaucoma medicine was making her ill, so she went to her eye specialist. He tested her and said there is not even a trace of glaucoma left. There is virtually no cure for glaucoma, how did you do it. Her reply was thru herbs and diet. She was told whatever it is, don't stop it. He took her off her glaucoma medication, and a special pair of glasses. She now tells me her eyes have improved so much that she can now watch TV without glasses, which she never before had done. She started on this program less than a year ago. Her dark brown eyes are now turning green. She has a ways yet to go, but she is really living again. She is a composer and this past holiday season, had a Christmas Album published. \n\n\nBest of health to both of you\n\nCheers
637340
I had my vision correction surgery done about a month ago. So far there is no significant side effects except for I've got my eye-sights back. ^_^\nBut I have been experiencing some dryness and my night vision is somewhat weaker. I would suggest you to consult with an ophthalmologist since each person's vision and healing condition really varies.
145316
you live with it. I had that too fairly recently. The light flashes at night were first pretty irritating, especially before I figured out what was happening, but by now they nearly disappeared. My eye doctor explained to me that the vitreous body is pulling at the retina causing exitation in the retina cells and hence light flashes, typically towards the corner of your vision. Once the separation is complete the light flashes stop. The problem is, that the pull can cause tears in the retina which has to be treated very rapidly so it doesn't get worse. \nTears in the retina are supposed to cause black spots in your vision and that's when you want to go contact your retina specialist immediately. Luckily I don't have personal experience with that so far. Though I think as long as it is treated quickly it is not going to be a big deal since somebody invented lasers to glue the retina back on. \nOnly thing which still bothers me are floaters, but that is also supposed to get better, though it is supposed to take more like a year than a month.
326763
Cataracts & Vision - Carnosine and N-Acetylcarnosine Eye Drops\nCategories\nHealth through Nutrition\n(http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/chris/2006/03/16/cataracts_vision_carnosine_and_nacetylcarnosine_eye_drops.htm)\nPractical Health\n\nFurther to Cataract - MSM eye drop solution the following provides more information. Although it too discusses some animal data more importantly it also includes some good human clinical data. \n\nEarly cataract is also am indication of calcium overload and sometimes IV EDTA chelation can also reverse it.\n\nI can't emphasis the importance of non processed and low carbohydrate diets for all health conditions...,\n\nSee also: \n\nAvoiding Visual Degeneration\n\nAspartame and Vision Degradation\n \nChris Gupta\n\n---------------------\nCarnosine and N-Acetylcarnosine Eye Drops (original is here)\n\nNew Hope for Cataracts \nWard Dean, MD \n\nCataracts are the leading cause of blindness, accounting for about 42 percent of all cases of blindness worldwide (affecting about 17 million people). Twenty-eight thousand new cases are reported everyday. About 20 percent of all people over 60 have at least the beginning of a cataract in one or both eyes, and that figure rises to 80 percent for people over 75. \n\nThe most common type of cataract ­ a nuclear cataract ­ is characterized by a cloudy haze inside the lens (Fig. 1). This haze is the physical manifestation of a random clumping together of the once beautifully ordered arrangement of lens proteins called crystallins. As the cataract develops in size and density, it reduces the amount of light that passes through the lens and scatters the light that does get through. Thus, instead of all the light rays being focused precisely to a point on the retina, forming a sharp, clear image of what we are seeing, many of the rays are spread out across the retina, forming a fuzzy image. Colors may be dulled or distorted, and there may be an annoying halo of light around bright objects, causing a glare effect.\n\nCauses of Cataracts \nCauses of cataracts include cumulative ultraviolet radiation damage from sun exposure, heredity, poor nutrition, smoking, high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, and the long-term use of corticosteroids (the last two are major risk factors for cataracts). Oxidative free radicals produced by the above-listed causes are thought to damage vital biomolecules, including lipids and proteins, resulting in the clumping together of these proteins. The antidote to free radicals, of course, is antioxidants, such as glutathione, lipoic acid, and vitamins C and E. Consequently, many scientists believe that abundant consumption of antioxidants may delay the onset of cataracts. \n\nNutrients for Vision \nGood nutrition is a key element of effective prevention for most age-related diseases, and cataracts are no exception. A number of nutrients can benefit our eyes, and may help prevent diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. These nutrients include the tripeptide glutathione (the most abundant and important antioxidant in the human body, critical for protecting the lens from free radical damage); vitamins A and C; vitamin E and some of the B vitamins; various bioflavonoids (especially quercetin and hesperidin) and carotenoids (especially lutein and zeaxanthin); the amino acids taurine, N-acetylcysteine (a precursor of glutathione), and acetyl L-carnitine; the hormone melatonin; the alkaloid vinpocetine; the herbs bilberry, ginkgo, and garlic; the minerals zinc and selenium; and, last but certainly not least, the saturated fatty acid, lipoic acid (“the antioxidant’s antioxidant”), which plays a central role in maintaining the body’s antioxidant network.[1] \n\nCarnosine for Vision \nCarnosine ­ a dipeptide consisting of two amino acids (alanine and histidine) connected to each other by a chemical bond called the peptide bond ­ is one of the most exciting anti-aging nutrients that has recently become widel
62992
Laser Photocoagulation and Photodynamic therapy.\n\nthough there is no cure for it.