Retinal degeneration diseases, like retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration, are inherited and affect over four million people worldwide. In fact, age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness in people over 60.

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While both these retinal diseases are characterised by a breakdown of the retina (the thin layers of light-sensing cells in the back of the eye), only a very specific area of the retina is affected in people with macular degeneration. The affected cells are those of the macula, the area of the retina responsible for central vision. These cells may deteriorate with age, and may eventually cause a blind spot in the centre of vision.

In most cases, this happens slowly over time and starts in one eye. The condition eventually stabilises with peripheral vision almost always intact.

However, in some cases of macular degeneration (a second, more aggressive type), there might be more rapid deterioration of vision due to formation of abnormal blood vessels under the retina.

Often, the first sign is a central grey or empty spot in your field of vision.

Watch out for these symptoms and signs
Macular degeneration causes distorted vision. The shape of objects with straight lines, such as door frames and telephone poles start to appear wavy. A blurry or blind spot appears in the centre of vision, which makes it difficult to read and, eventually, recognise faces.

Are you at risk?
People over sixty, Caucasians, those with a family history of this disease, those who are very short-sighted and smokers are most at risk. People with a high risk should have regular eye exams after the age of 45. This will enable early diagnosis of the disease and make the few treatments that are available more effective.

Further loss of vision can be halted
If diagnosed early, some cases of macular degeneration can be treated by laser surgery to seal leaky blood vessels and inhibit their growth, thereby preventing further loss of vision. Unfortunately, laser treatment, even when successful, results in a scar and a permanent blind spot in the treated area. Vision will not normally improve, and sometimes is actually worse immediately after this treatment. This therapy may result in less long-term vision loss than occurs if no treatment is given. Therapy is more successful in slowing the disease the earlier the condition is diagnosed.

There is no treatment to restore the vision already lost. There are no eye drops, tablets, spectacles, operations or alternative therapies proven to restore the vision that has been lost.

Consult your eye specialist before trying any treatment whatsoever, to ensure that any “miracle cures” on the market are at least not dangerous to your health.

Steps to delay the onset of macular degeneration
Although macular degeneration cannot be prevented, you may be able to delay the onset or slow the progression by:

• Not smoking cigarettes and avoiding cigarette smoke. Smoking is the most commonly identified factor aggravating the condition.
• Avoiding contact with ultra-violet light (UV rays) by wearing proper sunglasses that blocks out 100% of UV rays.
• Proper nutrition – particularly balanced and sufficient intake of vitamins, minerals and fresh vegetables – may help to delay the onset or progression, and at the very least will improve general health. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables containing carotenoids (especially lutein and zeaxanthin), found in leafy dark green vegetables, as well as zinc.
• Regular exercise, which improves both general and eye health.

Extensive research into this condition is being done locally and internationally. Areas of research include genetics, new lasers, surgical techniques, medicines and gene therapy.

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