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Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration is the age-related loss of central vision experienced by some older adults. Symptoms include blurred vision, distorted vision or dark spots.
There are two types of macular degeneration:
Dry macular degeneration -occurs when the macula tissue (central part of the retina which is the part you use to look directly at an object) thins and creates a gradual loss of vision. This is a 'wear and tear' type condition for which there is unfortunately no treatment.
Wet macular degeneration - the more severe form, occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow into the retina. These may leak and cause scarring of the retina and cause severe loss of central vision. In some cases using a laser to seal the blood vessels before they leak may treat this.
In both cases, while central vision is affected by macular degeneration, peripheral vision remains intact and so patients always retain some useful vision.
A wide variety of optical devices are available to enhance the vision that remains. These range from low-tech hand-held magnifiers, to closed-circuit television systems, to high-tech lenses and virtual reality headsets. Closed-circuit television cameras read and magnify type onto a monitor-allowing individuals to read straight from the screen. Also available are pocket-sized telescopes, which can magnify an individual's field of view enough to see close objects.
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Amblyopia | Astigmatism | Cataracts | Childrens Vision | Conjunctivitis | Glaucoma | Hypermetropia | Macular Degeneration | Myopia | | Presbyopia | Retinitis Pigmentosa |
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