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Yes, there have been advancements in the treatment of macular degeneration in recent years. One notable development is the use of anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) injections, which help to reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage in the eye. Another emerging treatment approach is the use of gene therapy to target specific genetic mutations that contribute to the development of macular degeneration. Additionally, researchers are exploring the potential benefits of stem cell therapy for regenerating damaged retinal cells in patients with macular degeneration.
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Which wet-type Macular Degeneration is associated with the formation of new blood vessels that produce small hemorrhages?
true. wet macular degeneration is damage to the macula that develops as a complication as the disease progresses. this damage is caused by the formation of new blood vessels that produce small hemorrhages that usually result in rapid and severe vision loss.
What can macular degeneration cause?
MaculardegenerationDry maculardegeneration is a chronic eye disease that causes vision loss in the center of your field of vision. Dry maculardegeneration is marked by deterioration of the macula (MAK-u-luh), which is in the center of the retina - the layer of tissue on the inside back wall of your eyeball. Dry maculardegeneration is one of two types of age-related maculardegeneration. The other type - wet maculardegeneration - is characterized by swelling caused by leaky blood vessels in the back of the eye. Dry macular degeneration isn't associated with swelling and is the more-common form of the disease.Dry macular degeneration doesn't cause total blindness, but it worsens your quality of life by blurring or causing a blind spot in your central vision. Clear central vision is necessary for reading, driving and recognizing faces.SymptomsDry macular degeneration symptoms usually develop gradually. You may notice these vision changes:The need for increasingly bright light when reading or doing close workIncreasing difficulty adapting to low light levels, such as when entering a dimly lit restaurantIncreasing blurriness of printed wordsA decrease in the intensity or brightness of colorsDifficulty recognizing facesA gradual increase in the haziness of your overall visionA blurred or blind spot in the center of your field of visionHallucinations of geometric shapes or people, in cases of advanced macular degenerationDry maculardegeneration may affect one eye or both eyes. If only one eye is affected, you may not notice any or much change in your vision because your good eye compensates for the weak one.When to see a doctorSee your eye doctor if:You notice changes in your central visionYour ability to see colors and fine detail becomes impairedThese changes may be the first indication of maculardegeneration, particularly if you are older than 50.
What are treatments for wet macular degeneration?
The macula is a tiny spot in the center of the retina. There are several layers of tissue that bring nutrients and oxygen to the macula and remove built up waste products. One layer of tissue is called the choroid layer - this is a layer of blood vessels that helps with the transporting in nutrients and removing waste. In wet macular degeneration new but abnormal blood vessels grow and instead of helping with this transport system, they actually are harmful. The reason for this is that these abnormal blood vessels are very tiny and fragile - meaning that they leak fluid.Wet macular degeneration gets it's name because of this excess blood and fluid from leaky blood vessels.This abundance of fluid builds up under the macula and raises it which is what causes the distortion of vision - straight lines become wiggly or wavy.What causes these unusual blood vessels to develop? There is a term called angiogenesis which means "new blood vessels."Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a protein secreted by cells that are oxygen deprived. VEGF stimulates the growth of these abnormal blood vessels.Healthy adults secrete very low levels of VEGF, while those who have health conditions such as cancer or age related macular degeneration secrete high levels of this protein.
Macular degeneration?
DefinitionMacular degeneration is an eye disorder that damages the center of the retina, which is called the macula. This makes it difficult to see fine details.Alternative NamesAge-related macular degeneration (ARMD); AMD; senile macular degeneration (SMD) is an older name that is no longer in common use.Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe retina is the layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye. It changes light and images that enter the eye into nerve signals that are sent to the brain. The macula is the part of the retina that makes our vision sharper and more detailed.Macular degeneration is caused by damage to the area around blood vessels that supply the macula. This change in the blood vessels damages the macula.Two phases of macular degeneration (AMD) exist:Dry macular degeneration occurs when the blood vessels under the macula become thin and brittle. Small yellow deposits, called drusen, form under the macula. As these drusen increase in size and number, they create a blurred and dim spot in the central vision of the eye. Almost all people with macular degeneration start with the dry form.Wet macular degeneration occurs in only about 10% of people with macular degeneration. Brittle vessels break down and new abnormal and very fragile blood vessels grow under the macula. This is called choroidal neovascularization. These vessels leak blood and fluid, which leads to damage of the macula. Although only about 10 percent of people with macular degeneration have this form, it causes most of the vision loss associated with the condition.Scientists aren't sure what causes AMD. The disease is most common in people over 60, which is why it is often referred to as age-related macular degeneration.In addition to heredity, other risk factors are:Caucasian raceCigarette smokingHigh-fat dietFemale genderObesitySymptomsAt first you may not have symptoms. As the disease progresses, your central vision may be affected.The most common symptom in dry AMD is blurred vision. This is limited to the center of the field of vision. Often objects in the central vision look distorted and dim, and colors look faded. A patient may have trouble reading print or seeing other details, but can generally see well enough to walk and perform most routine activities.As the disease becomes worse, you may need more light to read or perform everyday tasks. The blurred spot in the center of vision gradually gets larger and darker. In the later stages, you may not be able to recognize faces until people are close to you.AMD typically does not affect side (peripheral) vision. This is very important, because it means you will never have complete vision loss from this disease.The most common early symptom of wet macular degeneration is that straight lines appear distorted and wavy. You may also notice a small dark spot in the center of your vision that gradually gets larger. Central vision loss can occur very quickly. If this occurs, you urgently need evaluation by an ophthalmologist with experience in retina disease.Signs and testsIf you are over age 60 and you've had changes in vision, your eye care provider will do an examination. During the exam, the doctor will use drops to enlarge (dilate) your pupils, and a special lens to view your retina and optic nerve.The doctor will look for changes in the blood vessels and the membrane that surrounds them. This may show drusen, the yellow deposits that form on this membrane in dry macular degeneration.You may be asked to cover one eye and look at a pattern of lines called an Amsler grid. If the straight lines appear wavy, it may be a sign of AMD.Other tests for macular degeneration may include:Fluorescein angiogramOptical Coherence Tomography (OCT)TreatmentNo treatment exists for dry macular degeneration. However, a combination of vitamins, antioxidants, and zinc may slow the progression of the disease. This combination of vitamins is often called the "AREDS" formula. Smokers should not use this treatment.The recommended supplements contain:500 milligrams of vitamin C400 international units of beta-carotene80 milligrams of zinc2 milligrams of copperAlthough there is no cure for wet AMD, treatments may include:Laser surgery (laser photocoagulation) -- a small beam of light destroys the abnormal blood vessels.Photodynamic therapy -- a light activates a drug that is injected into your body to destroy leaking blood vessels.Special medications that slow the formation of new blood vessels in the eye (anti-angiogenesis, anti-VEGF therapy) -- drugs such as bevacizumab (Avastin) and ranibizumab (Lucentis) are injected into the eye to stabilize or improve vision. This is a painless process.Low-vision aids (such as special lenses) and therapy can help you use the vision that you have more effectively, and improve your quality of life.Support GroupsAMD Alliance International -- (877) AMD-7171 -- www.amdalliance.org.Expectations (prognosis)Most people with mild dry macular degeneration will not have disabling central vision loss. However, there is no way to predict who will progress to a more severe form of the disease.The wet form of macular degeneration often leads to significant vision loss.Although macular degeneration can cause people to lose the ability to read, drive a car, and recognize faces that are not very close, it never causes complete blindness. This disorder results in the loss of central vision only -- macular degeneration cannot cause peripheral vision loss.Nearly everyone with macular degeneration can get around, eat, perform personal hygiene, and do other routine activities without too much difficulty.ComplicationsLoss of central vision may interfere with many daily activities, such as reading, working on the computer, or driving. You may need extra light or magnification to perform many of your normal activities.Calling your health care providerIf you have AMD, your health care provider may recommend that you check your vision every day on an Amsler grid. Call your provider immediately if the lines appear wavy, or you notice any other changes in your vision.PreventionAlthough there is no known way to prevent macular degeneration, lifestyle factors can reduce your risk of developing the condition:Don't smokeEat a healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in animal fatExercise regularlyMaintain a healthy weightSee your eye care professional regularly for dilated eye exams.ReferencesAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern in Macular Degeneration.The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS).Gohel PS, Mandava N, Olson JL, Durairaj VD. Age-related macular degeneration: an update on treatment. Am J Med. 2008;121(4):279-281.Martidis A, Tennant MTS. Age-related macular degeneration. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, Augsburger JJ, et al., eds. Ophthalmology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2004:chap 125.
What is macular degenative disease?
Macular degeneration, sometimes mistakenly (or jokingly) called 'immaculate degeneration,' is a condition that affects the macula, the central part of the retina. When the macula is damaged, the eye loses the ability to see detail clearly in the center of the field of vision. The earlier it is detected and treated, the better the chances are of limiting the damage. There are new drugs on the market that are being tested with a high degree of success, so if you suspect you or someone you know may have it, see an eye doctor as soon as possible. Good luck.
What is the current m anagement of macular degeneration?
Macular DegenerationUse your diet to help protect yourself from VEGF macular degeneration.VEGF refers to the wet advanced age-related macular degeneration. The type that robs sight from more Americans each year than cataracts and glaucoma. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occurs most commonly in the dryform of the disease. But 10% to 15% of cases start, or progress to, the more destructive wet stage in which abnormal blood vessels leak fluid or blood behind the eye. This fluid dries to form scars that disrupt your field of vision.Your central vision can be destroyed.Research has found a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the eye. This VEGF protein causes new blood vessels to grow, which can extend the fluid damage and cause more loss of sight.Treatments to inhibit the VEGF protein try to slow or disrupt the growth of new blood vessels in an attempt to minimize loss of vision.How to protect your eyesight is important to everyone, not only people living with macular degeneration.One choice that can help is to choose healthy food to eat.Fiber foods high in lutein and zeaxanthinstimulate antioxidant activity that reduces oxidative stress in the retina and lens of the eye.Look for high fiber food as a source of zeaxanthin and lutein antioxidants: leafy greens with dark color like turnip greensand collard greens, kale, and spinach. Also include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, peas, and tomato sauce. For the highest amount of zeaxanthin choose orange peppers.
Are there any new treatments for depression released that are safe to use?
There are many safe treatments for depression, but you should always consult your doctor before trying any medications.
Are there any treatments for chlamydia?
Once chlamydia is contracted, the only available treatment is antibiotics. Although studies are always being done to search for new treatments for STDs, there are not any other options at this time.
Where could one read about the new mesothelioma treatment?
There are several places to read about new mesothelioma treatments. New treatments can be found online at sites like WebMD and the Mayo Clinic. Perhaps the best way to learn about new treatments is to talk to one's doctor, because the doctor can help to determine if any new treatment is appropriate for one's unique condition.
What are some new fertility treatments available?
There are many fertility treatments available that are new. Some consist of medicine such as Metformin, while other new treatments consist of hormone injections as well as insemination.
What information must a new orthopedic patient provide to his surgeon?
The orthopedist will determine the history of the disorder and any treatments that were previously tried.
Is osteophyte formation reversible?
Osteophyte formation is typically considered irreversible, as it represents new bone growth in response to joint degeneration or injury. While certain treatments may help manage symptoms and slow down the progression of osteophytes, complete reversal of the bony growth is unlikely without surgical intervention.
