Q: What resources are available to low-vision patients?

A: To assist you in adapting to low vision levels, your ophthalmologist can prescribe optical devices or refer you to a low-vision specialist. There is a wide range of support services and rehabilitation programs available to help people maintain a satisfying lifestyle who are living with macular degeneration. Because a person’s side vision is not usually affected with MD, people can continue with many of their favorite activities by using low-vision optical devices such as closed circuit television, magnifying devices, large print reading materials and talking or computerized devices.

Q: What is glaucoma?

A: Glaucoma is an eye disease that can cause blindness. Glaucoma has no symptoms, but when caught early it can usually be controlled, so regular eye exams are recommended and encouraged. Pressure builds up in the eye causing damage to the optic nerve (the optic nerve sends messages to the brain so you can see). The two main forms of glaucoma are “open angle” and “closed angle”.

Q: What is the difference between “open angle” and “closed angle”?

A: “Open angle” glaucoma is the most common form of this disease. It occurs slowly as patient’s age. The “drainage” area of the eye becomes clogged and the fluid is not able to drain properly, causing eye pressure to build up slowly. This slow drainage causes loss of peripheral (side) vision. This loss is very gradual and patients may not notice it. “Closed angle” glaucoma is less common. This type of glaucoma usually comes on quickly when the drainage area is suddenly, completely blocked. Eye pressure build rapidly. Patients may experience blurred vision with halos around lights. They may also experience headaches, severe pain, nausea and vomiting. If not treated quickly, blindness can occur.

Q: Who is at risk for glaucoma?

A: Anyone can get glaucoma, but some people may be at higher risk. Some of these risk factors are as follows, African ancestry, Increasing age, A family history of glaucoma, Health problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes, or Previous eye injuries and surgeries.

Q: How is glaucoma treated?

A: Early treatment can prevent or may limit vision loss from this disease. The primary goal of treating glaucoma is to lower the eye pressure, thus preventing vision loss. Your physician can suggest the appropriate treatment for you. Frequent eye exams help to monitor your eye pressure and medication effectiveness.

Q: What medications or procedures are used in the treatment of glaucoma?

A: Some eye drops and oral medications help reduce the amount of fluid your eyes make. Others increase the drainage in your eyes. These drops should be used as directed and not stopped even if you have no symptoms. If medications cause any side effects you should talk to your eye physician. In severe cases of glaucoma, procedures may be indicated to improve eye drainage. Lasers can be used to increase drainage and surgery procedures can be used to create new drainage areas.

Q: What is macular degeneration?

A: Macular degeneration is a deterioration of the macula. The macula is a small area of the retina at the back of the eye that allows you to see details clearly, such as reading and driving. When the macula is not functioning correctly, your central vision can be affected causing blurriness, distortion or dark areas. Macular degeneration affects your ability to see near and far, and can make some activities, especially at near, difficult or impossible. Macular degeneration usually does not affect the eye’s side or peripheral vision. Macular degeneration alone does not result in total blindness and many people have useful vision and are able to take care of themselves. In many cases, macular degeneration’s impact on your vision can be minimal.

Q: What causes macular degeneration?

A: Most macular degeneration in older people is usually caused by the body’s natural aging process. The most common type of macular degeneration is age related (AMD). It is not known exactly why it develops and no treatment has been uniformly effective. MD is the leading cause of severe vision loss in Caucasians over 65 year of age.

Q: Is there more than one type of macular degeneration?

A: Yes. “Dry” MD (atrophic) is one form of this disease. Aging and thinning of the tissues of the macula cause the dry type of MD. Vision loss is gradual. The “Wet” form (exudative) accounts for about 10% of all AMD cases. This form results when abnormal blood vessels form underneath the retina. These blood vessels leak fluid or blood and blur the central vision. Vision loss may be rapid and severe. Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial. Deposits under the retina called drusen are a common feature of MD. Drusen alone usually does not cause vision loss, however, when they increase in size and number, this generally indicates an increased risk of developing advanced AMD.

Q: What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?

A: MD can cause different symptoms in different people. The condition may be hardly noticeable in its early stages. Occasionally only one eye loses vision while the other eye continues to see well for many years. But when both eyes are affected, the loss of central vision may be noticed more quickly. Some common ways vision loss is detected may be words on a page look blurred. You may experience a dark or empty area that appears in your central vision. Straight lines may look distorted.

Q: How is macular degeneration diagnosed?

A: Many people don’t realize that they have a macular problem until blurred vision becomes obvious. Your ophthalmologist can detect early stages of AMD during a medical eye examination.

Q: How is macular degeneration treated?

A: Since the exact causes of MD are not fully understood, antioxidant vitamins and zinc may reduce the impact of AMD in some people. A scientific study found that people at risk for developing advanced stages of AMD lowered their risk when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and zinc. It’s important to remember that vitamin supplements are not a cure for AMD, nor will they restore vision that has already been lost to this disease. However, specific amounts of these supplements do play a key role in helping some people at high risk for advanced AMD. You should discuss this with your ophthalmologist to learn if supplements are recommended for you. Certain types of “wet” MD can be treated with laser surgery. This procedure is an outpatient procedure that uses a focused beam of light to slow or stop leaking blood vessels that damage the macula. A treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a combination drug and laser treatment to slow or stop leaking vessels.