| Age-related macular degeneration |
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a debilitating eye disease affecting about
15 million American. It is the most common cause of severe vision loss among people
over 60.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) appears in two forms, the more common
"dry" form and the less common "wet" form. The wet form is responsible for 10 percent
of disease cases, but can very quickly lead to blindness. While, the dry form is
responsible for 90 percent of disease cases, it progresses more slowly. The symptoms
may include blurry or fuzzy vision, difficulty recognizing familiar faces, 'wavy' straight
lines, dark or empty area appears in the center of vision and rapid loss of central vision.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) destroys central vision by attacking macula
(locates in the center of retina). Because only the center of vision is affected, people
rarely go blind from this disease. However, AMD can make suffers difficult to read,
drive, and play sports, watching movies and television. In normal aging process,
yellowish waste deposits accumulate around the macula, but in individuals with AMD,
these yellowish waste deposits are larger and more numerous.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have identified a gene (known as complement
factor H (CFH)) for AMD on a region of chromosome 1 using interdisciplinary
approach. They also found that both forms are associated with the same variant in the
CFH gene.
Possible Treatments- Krypton laser photocoagulation at low power setting [1]
However, Benyelles N and Soubrane G. at Centre ophtalmologigue universitaire de
Creteil, France, point out that laser photocoagulation has only been shown to be
beneficial for extra and juxtafoveal well defined lesions. While, PDT with verteporfin is
effective in the management of patients with subfoveal predominatly classic lessions. [4]
A variety of molecules such as bevacizumab, pegaptanib sodium and ranibizumab
have shown some effects on the disease. [4]
Application of Avastin found to be useful in AMD but there are some side effects.
[Details]
Herb / nutritional supplements: ginkgo biloba [2], vitamins C and E, and lutein and
zeaxanthin [3] While, Johnson EJ and Schaefer EJ at Jean Mayer U.S. Department of
Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University suggested
DHA in fish and fish oil might be helpful on reduction in the risk. [5]
References
1.Zhang CF et al, Krypton laser photocoagulation at low power setting for age-related macular degeneration complicated with
subfoveal choroidal neovascularization. Zhonghua Yan Ke Za Zhi, 2004 Dec;40(12):808-11 2. Evans JR. Ginkgo biloba extract
for age-related macular degeneration, Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000;(2):CD001775 3. Bartlett H et al, An ideal ocular
nutritional supplement? Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2004 Jul;24(4):339-49. [4] Benyelles N. et al, Age-related macular
degeneration. Rev. Prat. 2006 Jun 15(11):1194-201. [5] Johnson EJ and Schaefer EJ., Potential role of dietary n-3 fatty acids
in the prevention of dementia and macular degeneration. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Jun;83(6 Suppl):14945-1498S.
15 million American. It is the most common cause of severe vision loss among people
over 60.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) appears in two forms, the more common
"dry" form and the less common "wet" form. The wet form is responsible for 10 percent
of disease cases, but can very quickly lead to blindness. While, the dry form is
responsible for 90 percent of disease cases, it progresses more slowly. The symptoms
may include blurry or fuzzy vision, difficulty recognizing familiar faces, 'wavy' straight
lines, dark or empty area appears in the center of vision and rapid loss of central vision.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) destroys central vision by attacking macula
(locates in the center of retina). Because only the center of vision is affected, people
rarely go blind from this disease. However, AMD can make suffers difficult to read,
drive, and play sports, watching movies and television. In normal aging process,
yellowish waste deposits accumulate around the macula, but in individuals with AMD,
these yellowish waste deposits are larger and more numerous.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have identified a gene (known as complement
factor H (CFH)) for AMD on a region of chromosome 1 using interdisciplinary
approach. They also found that both forms are associated with the same variant in the
CFH gene.
Possible Treatments- Krypton laser photocoagulation at low power setting [1]
However, Benyelles N and Soubrane G. at Centre ophtalmologigue universitaire de
Creteil, France, point out that laser photocoagulation has only been shown to be
beneficial for extra and juxtafoveal well defined lesions. While, PDT with verteporfin is
effective in the management of patients with subfoveal predominatly classic lessions. [4]
A variety of molecules such as bevacizumab, pegaptanib sodium and ranibizumab
have shown some effects on the disease. [4]
Application of Avastin found to be useful in AMD but there are some side effects.
[Details]
Herb / nutritional supplements: ginkgo biloba [2], vitamins C and E, and lutein and
zeaxanthin [3] While, Johnson EJ and Schaefer EJ at Jean Mayer U.S. Department of
Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University suggested
DHA in fish and fish oil might be helpful on reduction in the risk. [5]
References
1.Zhang CF et al, Krypton laser photocoagulation at low power setting for age-related macular degeneration complicated with
subfoveal choroidal neovascularization. Zhonghua Yan Ke Za Zhi, 2004 Dec;40(12):808-11 2. Evans JR. Ginkgo biloba extract
for age-related macular degeneration, Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000;(2):CD001775 3. Bartlett H et al, An ideal ocular
nutritional supplement? Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2004 Jul;24(4):339-49. [4] Benyelles N. et al, Age-related macular
degeneration. Rev. Prat. 2006 Jun 15(11):1194-201. [5] Johnson EJ and Schaefer EJ., Potential role of dietary n-3 fatty acids
in the prevention of dementia and macular degeneration. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Jun;83(6 Suppl):14945-1498S.
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Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
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