Macular degeneration is one of the diseases that most commonly causes vision loss in people over the age of 55-60 in Turkey, as in the rest of the world.
People with macular degeneration have problems performing daily tasks such as reading, driving, recognizing people’s faces, and watching television.
However, even in the advanced stage of the disease, the person does not experience complete blindness and continues his daily life with a field of vision other than central vision.
Prof. Dr. Tansu Erakgün
Retina Diseases and Vitreoretinal Surgery Specialist
Born on March 20, 1968, in İzmir, Prof. Dr. Tansu Erakgün completed his middle education at Saint Joseph College and his high school education at Karşıyaka Gazi High School. After graduating from Ege University Faculty of Medicine in 1992, which he entered in 1986, he began his residency training in the Department of Ophthalmology at Ege University Faculty of Medicine Hospital in the same year. In 1997, he became a specialist...
About Me VideosWhat is Macular Disease?
The retina of the eye is a layer of nerve cells that detects light coming from outside and transmits it to the brain. If we compare the eye to a camera, the retina is the film strip inside the camera.
The macula region is located in the middle of this layer. In the middle of the macula area, there is the fovea region, where the light is focused and approximately the diameter of a pinhead.
The fovea region, or as it is popularly known, the “yellow spot”, is the most important region of the retina layer responsible for central vision and detailed vision. In macular degeneration, the person experiences distortion in shapes and vision loss.
Although the retinal layer contains a vascular layer within itself, it is largely nourished by a vascular-rich layer just below it.
There is a thin membrane between these two layers and it acts as a barrier filter between the two layers.
Throughout life, waste materials accumulated in the macular degeneration area due to the toxic effect of light are cleared from this area by a certain mechanism and transmitted to the vascular-rich layer underneath and removed through the blood.
In macular degeneration, often in some people after the age of 50-55, the waste materials between the layers cannot be removed from this area for an unknown reason and accumulate in this area, triggering some undesirable events. This is how the disease begins.
Macular degeneration is divided into two: dry type and wet type. In the dry type, a certain amount of loss occurs due to residues accumulating in the cells in this region.
In the wet type, unwanted vascular buds form between the layers, just below the yellow spot. Leaks and bleeding occur in a very short time from these vascular buds, and vision loss begins.
Although 90% of all macular degeneration is the dry type, the wet type is responsible for 90% of the vision loss caused by macular degeneration.
In other words, although it is seen less frequently, it causes more vision loss. Macular degeneration, which starts as a dry type, may turn into a wet type over time. That’s why regular check-ups are essential.
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What are the Symptoms of Macular Disease?
If the disease turns into wet type, the early symptoms are a feeling of distortion in straight lines and a decrease in the amount of vision.
To detect the feeling of distortion in the lines, patients are given a simple card with a grid pattern to test themselves from time to time. This card is called the Amsler card.
The patient puts on glasses (if he/she uses them), closes each eye one by one, looks at the middle point of the Amsler card in his hand and tests whether there is any deformity in the lines forming this card.
In this way, distortion in straight lines can be detected in wet macular degeneration. If a different image than usual is noticed, you should be examined by an Izmir retina specialist ophthalmologist without delay.
Are you at risk for Age-Related Macular Disease?
Age-related macular disease (AMD) is an eye disease that causes inflammation and damage to the macula located at the back of the eye. AMD usually occurs in people over the age of 50 and can affect the quality of vision. Individuals at risk for AMD include those with the following factors:
- Age: The risk of AMD increases with age and is usually seen over the age of 50.
- Family history: AMD is a genetic disease, and therefore, a family history of AMD indicates that individuals are at increased risk of AMD.
- Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of AMD.
- High blood pressure: High blood pressure increases the risk of AMD.
- Obesity: Obesity increases the risk of AMD.
Is the Other Eye Affected in Macular Macular Disease?
Macular degeneration is a disease that affects both eyes. However, often the condition is more severe in one eye than the other.
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Are there any Protective Measures? If so, what are they?
Although it is not completely possible to prevent the transition from the dry type to the wet type, some changes in lifestyle and nutrition reduce the risk of the disease progressing to more serious stages.
The role of smoking in the progression of this disease has been proven. If the patient smokes, he should quit as soon as possible.
Additionally, studies have proven that consumption of dark green fibrous vegetables and fruits slows the course of the disease.
In multicenter and large-scale studies on this disease, it has been proven that some anti-oxidant, vitamin and mineral-containing drugs reduce the risk of transition from dry type to wet type and therefore the risk of vision loss.
The vitamins recommended in these studies are:
- 500mg vitamin C
- 400 IU vitamin E
- 15mg Beta carotene
- 80 mg zinc oxide
- 2mg copper oxide
It is necessary to consult an ophthalmologist before taking vitamin/mineral combinations. They may have some additional recommendations on this issue (for example, smokers should not use beta-carotene, vitamin E should not exceed 400 IU, etc.).
Risk Factors for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Macular Degeneration)
- Having macular degeneration in the family
- Smoking
- High arm blood pressure and high lipid-cholesterol
- Obesity
What Should Be Done to Protect from Yellow Spot Disease?
- No smoking
- A diet rich in green fiber fruits and vegetables and containing fish at least 1-2 times a week should be adopted.
- Fried foods containing trans fats should be avoided and the use of olive oil should be increased.
- Normal lipid-cholesterol and arm blood pressure values should be reduced.
- Weight control should be done
- Exercise habits should be acquired
- If dry type macular degeneration has started, combination pills containing vitamins and minerals should be switched to, with the recommendation of a doctor.
- If there is macular degeneration or other risk factors in the family, regular retinal examinations should be performed at regular intervals.
What is Izmir Yellow Spot Disease Treatment?
Macular degeneration, which has transitioned from dry type to wet type, is a condition that requires urgent treatment.
Until recently, the treatments applied to this disease did not yield satisfactory results, but today, extremely successful results are obtained with developing technologies and new treatment methods.
The aim of treatment in wet macular degeneration is to dry the unwanted vascular buds, fluid leaks and bleeding between the layers that cause the disease. There are different treatment options for this.
Laser Treatment
It is the oldest treatment method used for wet macular degeneration. Situations where laser treatment can be applied are limited today.
Approximately 15% of all age-type macular degeneration patients are suitable for standard laser treatment. In patients receiving laser treatment, 50% of the vascular buds can be reactivated.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
It is a treatment method developed after standard laser treatment and has been used for about 10 years. In PDT, a substance called verteporfin (Visudyn) is injected into the arm to ensure that this drug binds to the damaged tissue in the eye.
Then, a special laser treatment is applied to the eye for 83 seconds. It is effective in some types of wet macular degeneration.
It generally does not increase vision; the rate of preservation of current vision is approximately 50-60% during the 1-year treatment period. This rate will decrease in the following years.
Today it is rarely used alone, only in appropriate cases. Apart from this, it can be used in combination with the new drugs given by injection into the eye, mentioned in the section below.
Treatment to Prevent Vascular Development (Anti-VEGF treatment)
Today, it is the most effective and most recently developed treatment method for wet macular degeneration. It consists of active ingredients such as bevacizumab (Avastin, Altuzan) and ranibizumab.
In wet macular degeneration, unwanted vascular buds form between the layers that form the back wall of the eye.
Vascular growth factors affecting that region play a role in the formation of these vascular buds.
With treatment to prevent vascular development in wet macular degeneration, these growth factors are neutralized and the vascular bud formed is eliminated, preventing leakage and bleeding. In this treatment, drugs such as bevacizumab (Avastin, Altuzan) are given by direct injection into the eye.
With this treatment, the rate of preserving current vision in wet macular degeneration is over 90% within 1 year. Again, the rate of vision increase in the same period is around 30%.
These injections are frequently repeated at regular intervals to prevent vision loss and even increase vision.
Is there any surgical treatment for macular degeneration?
Rarely, very intense bleeding may occur in macular degeneration. The needle treatment just mentioned is ineffective in the treatment of this condition.
In this case, the retina can be cut and removed using special methods, the bleeding underneath can be cleaned, and a tissue patch can be applied.
What should be done in follow-up?
Macular degeneration, whether dry type or wet type, is a disease that requires regular follow-up. Eye angiography (FFA- fundus fluorescein angiography) and retinal tomography (OCT- optical coherence tomography) must be performed during the diagnosis phase and follow-up.
What are the Prices of Macular Disease Treatment in Izmir?
You can contact your doctor to get information about Izmir macular degeneration treatment prices.
F.A.Q.
At what age does macular degeneration occur?
Macular degeneration is generally seen in older ages and is more common over the age of 60. However, this disease can be seen at any age and in some cases may occur at an earlier age. Macular degeneration is a disease that causes the cells in the macular layer of the eyes to wear out with the accumulation of waste material. “It is an eye disease. The macula layer is an important part of the eyes that provides the sense of vision and plays an important role in performing daily tasks of the eyes.
How is macular degeneration treated?
Treatment of macular degeneration may vary depending on the cause of the disease. If macular degeneration is caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, or other health conditions, treating these conditions may be a start to treating macular degeneration. You can also protect your eyes by wearing protective glasses and sunglasses You can slow down the progression of macular degeneration by doing activities that protect your eyes and eyes. People with macular degeneration are usually followed by ophthalmologists and special treatment options can be recommended when necessary.
What is macular degeneration symptoms?
Symptoms of macular degeneration may include: Bowing of straight lines Vision loss or vision impairment Objects not being seen clearly or appearing blurry Difficulty reading Colors appearing faded or distorted Risk of falling while walking at night These symptoms may be milder in the early stages of macular degeneration and get worse over time If you notice one or more of these symptoms, it is recommended that you consult an ophthalmologist.
What should people with macular degeneration pay attention to?
Those with macular degeneration should take the following precautions to avoid being affected by the disease: a diet rich in fiber, vegetables and fruits, not smoking, blood pressure control, use of sunglasses, avoidance of sunlight, use of appropriate vitamins, regular medical check-up. and regular eye examination. These precautions are important to follow the disease process and not be affected by the disease, and therefore need to be taken into consideration.
Is macular degeneration dangerous?
Macular degeneration) is a disease that causes damage to the macula (the area that provides vision) in the middle of the eyes. This disease can negatively affect vision and may cause complete loss of vision in some people. However, Whether or not macular degeneration is dangerous may vary depending on the stage of the disease. Macular degeneration detected in the early stages is less dangerous than progressive stages and can be treated.
Yellow Who gets spot disease?
Macular degeneration occurs more frequently with age. Therefore, it is more common in people after the age of 50. However, the disease can be seen at any age. Macular degeneration is a disease of the macula in the middle of the eyes (which provides vision). “This disease can negatively affect vision and may cause complete loss of vision in some people.
References:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/agerelated-macular-degeneration-amd
Gent, D. H., du Toit, L. J., Fichtner, S. F., Mohan, S. K., Pappu, H. R., & Schwartz, H. F. (2006). Iris yellow spot virus: an emerging threat to onion bulb and seed production. Plant Disease, 90(12), 1468-1480.