Everything You Need to Know About Retinal Degeneration
We all know how important it is to take care of our eyes, especially in
advanced ages, when time begins to affect the body and damage this important
organ. Therefore, it is best that you know as much as possible about retinal
degeneration, a disease that is particularly common among the elderly that
affects the retina, and if you do not diagnose and start treating it on time,
the consequences can be extreme – to the point of blindness.
Beyond the general information about this disease and the ways in which it
can be identified, in the next article, you’ll also find information on the
various treatment methods that can delay the development of the disease and
even stop it. So, read this information carefully, get yourself checked if
necessary, and pass the article on to your friends and family - you may be
helping them save their eyesight.
Some important things to know about retinal degeneration:
The retina is a layer of the eye located in the upper inner part. Its
function is to absorb the light from the environment and convert it into nerve
signals that are translated in our brains. Retinal degeneration is a disease
that affects the center of the retina (macula) and is estimated to affect about
150 million adults worldwide and is the most common cause of blindness. The
exact cause of the disease is not yet clear, but it is estimated that there are
several risk factors that affect its development:
Obesity
High blood pressure
Smoking
Family history
Retinal degeneration can be divided into two main types and if you detect
even some of these symptoms, it is recommended that you periodically visit your
eye doctor:
Dry retinal degeneration - This is the milder form of the disease that
develops slowly and gradually. Between 85 and 90 percent of people with retinal
degeneration in the world suffer from the dry form. This situation has no
medical solution, but it is possible to delay its progress and prevent
deterioration in various ways, which we will discuss below.
Wet retinal degeneration - In this condition, in addition to degeneration
of the retinal cells, leakages from the blood vessels in the same area also
occur. This is a more serious condition, which can result in severe and rapid
loss of vision. However, in the case of early diagnosis, immediate actions can
be taken to treat the disease and prevent loss of vision.
What are the primary symptoms of the disease?
Early diagnosis of retinal degeneration is critical in dealing with the
disease and preventing blindness. For this purpose, it is important to know the
warning signs that indicate retinal degeneration:
Symptoms of wet retinal
degeneration are considered to be more severe and less subtle. The disease can
cause people to see straight lines as curvy or bent. It may also cause black
spots in the center of vision, which will grow more and more in the absence of
treatment.
It is important to understand that the symptoms may not always be the same
in both eyes. It is possible that one eye will experience serious degeneration
while the other eye might not experience any symptoms at all at first. In any
case, if you suspect that something is wrong with your eyes - it is always
better to go to a qualified ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Periodic tests
and early detection can control the symptoms of the disease and in some cases,
save you from blindness.
How is the diagnosis performed?
Diagnosis of retinal degeneration is done through an eye examination by an
ophthalmologist or optometrist. Over the age of 50, it is recommended to get
these tests done every year. The diagnosis can be made in three main ways:
Amsler Grid Test - A simple and
preliminary test in which the patient looks at horizontal and vertical lines to
see if they see the lines distorted.
Fluorescein angiography - After
your doctor injects a colored dye into a vein in your arm the dye will travel
to a highlight the blood vessels in your eyes. The doctor then examines the eye
with magnifying accessories to identify leaks in blood vessels.
Optical coherence tomography -
This is an optical imaging test that gives the doctor a more accurate picture
of the eye and enables more efficient diagnosis of retinal changes and
abnormalities.
How is retinal degeneration treated?
As noted, in most cases early diagnosis will help to adapt treatment that
will delay the deterioration of the disease and in some cases will even prevent
the patient from reaching a state of blindness. In order to do this, of course,
it is important to ensure continuous treatment and follow-ups by a qualified
ophthalmologist, but at the same time, there is still no medical treatment in
the form of medications or surgery to fully cure the disease. In its wet form,
fluid may be absorbed back into the blood vessels through injections of
Avastin, Lucentis or Eylea every few weeks. In some cases, your doctor may also
recommend laser treatment for wet retinal degeneration. The doctor will also
recommend enlarging texts for reading using a magnifying glass or advanced
technological aids.
Along with the conventional tools, Chinese medicine offers other ways to
supplement treatment and provide a holistic, broad and effective way of
delaying the disease. These are some of the factors that cause it to be
effective:
Vitamins, minerals, and
antioxidants - our diet has a significant impact on the functioning of body
systems, and of course, also on the eyes. Studies show that in order to slow
the progression of the disease, it is recommended to increase the consumption
of the following substances: vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc oxide, copper oxide,
lutein, and zeaxanthin.
Healthy fats - In a review of
several studies conducted in 2008 at the University of Melbourne, Australia,
omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, seeds, and nuts, can slow retinal
degeneration.
Acupuncture - Acupuncture allows
better oxygen flow to the macula, thus slowing down the disease and even
stopping it. The treatment allows cells damaged by macular degeneration to
"wake up" and improve their functioning.
The tools available from Chinese medicine may greatly improve the
functioning of eyes suffering from retinal degeneration. In order to enjoy all
these benefits and prevent deterioration of vision, it is recommended to use a
qualified therapist who is experienced in the treatment of eye diseases.