Understanding The Macular Degeneration And How Macular Supplements Can Help

By Ryan Watson


In the eye, the macular is located near the center of the retina. The macular's function is extremely important, as this portion of the eye focuses on objects directly ahead. If the macular is not working properly, faces and objects are blurred or obscured altogether. The degeneration of the macular can take away a person's ability to drive, read or recognize others. However, with the right macular supplements in your hand, you don't have to worry much.

Most of our retina (the light-sensitive tissue inside the eye) has light-sensing cells called "rods". They are very sensitive at light detection but not very sensitive to details. The macular is the 3/16" area of the central retina with light-sensing cells called "cones". They are very sensitive to visual detail and color perception. This region supplies the straight-ahead vision. In macular degeneration (MD), the macular cells are damaged and central straight-ahead vision becomes blurred or distorted.

Risk factors include a family history, old age and a specific gene that greatly increases the danger of acquiring the disease. MD symptoms include blurred vision, distorted vision, inability to identify certain color variations, and lack of contrast sensitivity.

While many of these descriptions can be symptomatic of another issue, it is recommended that you seek medical advice if they begin to occur, so that macular degeneration (MD) can be ruled out. Especially after the age of 50, you need to seek medical consultation if you have any noticeable change in eyesight. Also, it's important to have a vision test least twice a year so that early detection of the disease is possible.

Preventive measures such as eye supplements like lutein and vitamin K are recommended by medical experts for better eye health. Are you at a healthy weight? Is your blood pressure at a consistent, normal level? If you have high blood pressure or are obese, the risk of developing this disease rises. Try to exercise three times per week and cut down on fatty foods. If you smoke, quit.

Before a patient's condition progresses to the wet form of the disease, it begins as the dry, non-neovascular type of AMD. The first symptoms of dry AMD are drusen, yellow spots, which amass in the vicinity of the macular. They are believed to be the result of decomposition of the tissue within the eye which deposits itself in and around this region.

There are now vigorous measures being taken to deal with this problem by using such devices as larger glasses or bifocals; in fact, many recent computer systems have included an MD-friendly program known as JAWS, which makes it much easier for the person with MD to see more clearly. Some vision experts also suggest patients begin a regimen of specific vitamins that can help to strengthen vision and avoid further damage.

Age-Related MD treatments also include experimental surgical procedures. New surgeries are being tried in an attempt to remove abnormal blood vessels in the eye. Other surgical techniques are directed at the abnormal blood vessels which are located right in the center of the macular.

The best plan of action is to speak to your doctor about which one is going to be best for you. MD needs to be taken seriously and acted upon, but thankfully it can be treated, although sight lost through wet MD cannot be regained.




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