Treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Age-related macular degeneration: causes and treatment Treatment of wet macular retinal dystrophy

Macular degeneration of the retina is a pathology that is accompanied by degeneration of the visual spot and leads to complete or partial loss of vision. Most often, this disorder is diagnosed in people over 50 years of age. At a younger age, this condition is much less common.

Typically, this disorder develops against the background of a narrowing of the lumens of the blood vessels that supply this part of the visual apparatus. Damage to the retina makes it impossible to focus the image. Peripheral vision is practically not affected by this.

In medical practice, it is already well known what macular degeneration of the retina is, so quite effective methods for treating this pathology have been developed. The success of therapy largely depends on the stage of the disease at which it was started. People at risk need to be careful about their health and regularly visit an ophthalmologist.

Causes of development of macular degeneration of the retina

Currently, many factors are known that contribute to the development of retinal macular degeneration. Europeans are most often affected by this disease, while Africans and Asians suffer from it much less frequently. This indicates a genetic predisposition of certain races to develop such a visual disorder. In most cases, age-related macular degeneration of the retina is detected. It is diagnosed mainly in people over 70 years of age. This age group has a 30% higher risk of having a lesion in the macula.

Hereditary predisposition is also the most important factor contributing to the development of macular degeneration of the retina. It has now been confirmed that those who have blood relatives suffering from this disease have a 50% risk of developing the disease. Among other things, factors contributing to the development of such a disorder as retinal macular degeneration include:

smoking;
abuse of ultraviolet radiation;
frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages;
physical inactivity;
poor nutrition;
hypertension;
angina pectoris;
myocardial infarction;
stroke;
taking certain medications.

Among other things, atherosclerosis increases the risk of developing macular degeneration, especially if it is accompanied by blockage of small blood vessels. This leads first to the formation of scars, and then to the launch of degenerative processes. This disruption of the visual apparatus may be the result of rapidly progressing myopia. Myopia often develops after cataract surgery.

Excess weight and diabetes mellitus contribute to macular degeneration, as they are accompanied by damage to the small blood vessels that supply the retina. In addition, excess weight and diabetes contribute to increased levels of “bad” cholesterol in the blood. This substance, deposited on the walls of blood vessels, forms microthrombi, which subsequently cause disruption of the nutrition of the retinal tissue and contribute to the launch of degenerative processes.

The development of macular degeneration may be facilitated by calcium deposition on the retina at an early age. This problem is often the result of an unhealthy lifestyle and addiction to monotonous and unhealthy food. Thus, people who are initially at risk because they have a genetic predisposition need to take into account all factors that can trigger the pathological process.

Types of disease

This disorder has 2 forms: dry and wet. The dry form is considered to be the result of natural tissue thinning, deposition of pigment substances, or a combination of other disorders observed in old age. When macular degeneration is confirmed, the dry form means that the condition is not accompanied by the appearance of new blood vessels. In 80-95% of patients, this type of damage to the visual apparatus is diagnosed. It usually does not lead to complete loss of vision.

The progression of dry AMD (age-related macular degeneration) can lead to the development of the wet form. This condition causes new blood vessels to form in the retinal tissue. This pathological process is extremely dangerous, since new capillaries are fragile. Their damage causes microhemorrhages. This contributes to the accelerated development of the disease. As a rule, the wet form develops against the background of the dry form only in 10% of cases.

To make a diagnosis and determine the degree of advanced AMD, an ophthalmologist conducts examinations of the macula to determine such a phenomenon as drusen. These are peculiar yellow spots around the affected area. Such deposits can be found in people aged 50-60 years, when the dry form of the disease is still at the very beginning of its development. Research has now confirmed that there is a clear relationship between drusen and macular degeneration of the retina. As drusen increase in size, the risk of developing AMD increases.

AMD has 3 stages:

early;
intermediate;
expressed.

The degree of visual impairment depends on the stage. When it comes to a condition such as age-related macular degeneration, the wet form can occur in a classic or latent form. In the first case, there is a characteristic growth of blood vessels, there are pronounced hemorrhages and the active process of formation of scar tissue. If wet macular degeneration of the eye occurs as a latent type, the signs are smoothed out. New vessels grow slowly. In this case, there is practically no hemorrhage, so the disturbances are minimal.

Symptoms of pathology

Macular degeneration of the retina is accompanied by a rather slow increase in signs of tissue damage. The most common condition is macular degeneration of both eyes, which is accompanied by characteristic symptoms. At first, patients may complain that objects appear blurry. There are difficulties in recognizing letters when reading, especially if the font is small.

Degenerative processes lead to the fact that an image cannot be formed on the retina of the eyes, which will be transmitted to the brain for processing. Subsequently, pronounced sensitivity to light appears. Painful sensations are usually not observed at all stages of development.

As the disease progresses, a spot forms on the retina of the eye. Patients see it as a kind of veil that prevents them from fully examining any objects. Vision decreases so much that driving a car and reading already pose a certain difficulty. The development of this pathological condition is evidenced by the loss of the ability to distinguish colors.

As macular degeneration of the retina progresses, patients may complain of loss of coordination and the inability to see any objects in poor lighting. When looking directly, whole fragments may fall out. In rare cases of severe cases, patients may complain of hallucinations that are the result of distortion of straight lines.

Diagnostics

The main method for detecting macular degeneration is a standard examination by an ophthalmologist. Using tables, a specialist can determine the acuity of central vision. If a pathology such as macular degeneration of the retina is suspected, ophthalmoscopy is prescribed. Examining the eyeball using a special lamp allows you to identify existing defects.

In the early stages of the development of pathology, when the manifestations of the disease are not too intense, coherence tomography may be recommended. The prices for this study are not too high, so this diagnostic method is available to a wide range of patients.

Fluorescein angiography may be performed to confirm the wet form of the disease. This procedure involves the injection of a special contrast agent into a vein, which allows you to most accurately examine the vessels and identify existing areas of hemorrhage in the macula.

A comprehensive examination allows you to determine how the disease will develop and prescribe adequate therapy, which will reduce the risk of irreversible vision loss. Often, the patient is recommended to undergo examination by other highly specialized specialists to clarify the factors that could cause the development of the pathology.

Treatment methods

Conservative and surgical methods for eliminating macular degeneration of the retina have been developed. When the question arises of how to treat macular degeneration, the choice of treatment largely depends on the form of the pathology and the degree of neglect. In most cases, therapy is first treated with conservative treatment methods.

Drugs are usually prescribed to help strengthen the walls of blood vessels and reduce swelling. They can improve the quality of vision at an early stage of therapy. Drug treatment of macular degeneration of the retina is often supplemented with immunomodulators. Vitamins and antioxidants are also introduced into the treatment regimen. These drugs promote the resorption of drusen.

To cure a disease that occurs in a dry form, low-intensity laser therapy is often prescribed. Using this method of exposure, it is possible to completely remove drusen. This reduces the risk of progression of macular degeneration, but cannot restore visual acuity. Carrying out such treatment procedures is acceptable at any age.

When the development of wet macular degeneration is detected, treatment can be carried out with laser coagulation. This is a fairly effective method of influence, which allows you to stop hemorrhages from the vessels located in the eyes. Among other traditional treatment methods, this procedure is prescribed quite often, as it allows you to start the process of vision restoration. In this case, areas of degeneration are eliminated by laser action, which allows for noticeable improvement. Currently, other methods of minimally invasive intervention have been developed, but they are used much less frequently in medical practice.

When AMD has been confirmed, treatment must be supplemented with a special diet, physiotherapy and lifestyle changes. Giving up all bad habits allows you to improve the nutrition of eye tissue. It is recommended to include as many vegetables and fruits, spinach, green salads, and kale into your diet. These products contain vitamins A, C and E, which have a pronounced antioxidant effect.

Regular consumption of blueberries and carrots with vegetable oil can bring great benefits. They contain a lot of vitamin A. A specialist may recommend regularly performing eye exercises.

Folk remedies

It is worth noting that any herbs and infusions do not allow 100% elimination of existing disorders. When there is macular degeneration of the retina, treatment with folk remedies can only be carried out after consultation with a doctor. Such methods are usually recommended as an adjunct to primary drug therapy or surgery. There are several folk remedies that are actively used for pathologies such as maculopathy.

Herbalists often recommend using wheat germ to eliminate macular degeneration. It is not difficult to prepare this folk remedy. First, thoroughly rinse and sort the grain. Spread selected wheat in a thin layer in a spacious container, and then add water so that green shoots appear. Sprouted grain can be stored for no more than 4 days. For medicinal purposes, use 14 tbsp of this remedy. in a day. As part of prevention, it is enough to consume 4-7 tbsp. To improve the taste of this folk remedy, you can add ripe berries or honey to it. This will be good for your eyes.

To restore vision, you can use a healing infusion. To prepare it, you need to take about 5 g of mumiyo and about 100 g of fresh aloe vera juice. These natural ingredients must be mixed thoroughly. You can store the resulting liquid on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. This product should be used for eye drops and lotions. Before use, be sure to warm the resulting composition to room temperature. Procedures should be carried out twice a day. The course of treatment with this remedy is 2 weeks. After this, you definitely need to take a break.

To improve vision, you can use another composition. To prepare it, you need to take the fruits of red rowan, blueberry and sea buckthorn in equal proportions. They should be mixed and flavored with honey. After this, the product can be used. It is not advisable to store such a product, since the secretion of juice by the fruit will cause a decrease in useful substances in them. It is best to use this folk remedy 3 times a day on an empty stomach.

To improve vision in this pathology, traditional medicine also recommends another composition. To prepare it, you need to take 2-3 medium carrots and 3 walnuts, which must be thoroughly chopped and mixed. Next, you need to add about 1 tsp to the mixture. honey You can use this product in any quantity.

To slow down the rate of development of macular degeneration of the retina, oatmeal decoction is recommended. To make it, you must first thoroughly rinse 300 g of whole grains and soak it in water for about 4 hours. Then drain the water and transfer the oats to a three-liter pan, which needs to be filled to the top with water. After this, bring the mixture to a boil. Drink 5 glasses of warm broth daily.

Prevention of pathology

People at risk of developing macular degeneration of the retina need to monitor their health to prevent this dangerous disease. First of all, you need to give up all bad habits, if any. When outdoors, be sure to wear sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat.

Among other things, it is advisable to regularly visit an ophthalmologist for preventive examinations. The risk of developing macular degeneration of the retina in adulthood can be reduced by playing sports and eating properly with a high content of nutrients. In addition, a specialist may recommend taking vitamins.

Video

Macular degeneration of the retina refers to a disease that affects the central part of the retina called the macula. It plays a major role in ensuring visual function. Age-related macular degeneration is one of the main causes of complete loss of vision in people over the age of fifty.

The macula is considered one of the important elements. Thanks to its work, a person sees objects that are located close to the eye, and also has the ability to read, write and perceive colors. The exact causes of this pathology have not yet been found. But age is considered the main factor.

The following are also considered to be the main reasons.

Gender. According to statistics, the female half of the population suffers from the disease much more often.
Hereditary predisposition.
Excess body weight.
Having bad habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol.
Lack of vitamins and minerals.
Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays on the retina.
Injury to the visual organ.
Poor environmental situation.

Types of macular degeneration of the retina

Malacular dystrophy can go through various stages and forms as it develops. As a result, it can be divided into two types. This includes.

Dry form of macular degeneration. It is the initial stage of the disease and is considered the most common, as it affects about ninety percent of the population. Characterized by gradual loss of the central part of vision. But often the patient does not notice this.
Wet form of macular degeneration. This stage appears if the dry form of the disease has not been diagnosed. The development of the disease is aggravated by the formation of new blood vessels of a fragile and brittle nature. This results in hemorrhage and the formation of yellow deposits in the retina.

The gradual loss of central visual function leads to the inability to distinguish small objects. The dry form of the disease is not as bad as the wet form. But if the disease is not diagnosed in time and appropriate treatment is not started, this threatens the degradation of retinal cells and the complete loss of visual function. Wet macular degeneration occurs in ten percent of all cases. In the presence of this form, the process of growth of new vessels occurs. The walls of such tubules are underdeveloped, so they allow blood to pass into the retina. As a result, the cells become more susceptible, causing them to die and form spots in the central part of the view.

Macular degeneration causes a gradual but painless loss of visual function. Only in the rarest situations does blindness occur instantly. The main symptoms of macular degeneration include the following.

The appearance of dark spots in the central part of the visual field.
Fuzzy image.
Distortion of objects.
Deterioration of color perception.
Deterioration of visual function in the dark.

Diagnosis of macular degeneration of the retina

It is worth noting that the most basic method for determining macular degeneration is the Amsler test. A grid consisting of intersecting lines with a black dot in the middle is placed on the wall. The patient needs to look at it. A person who has a similar disease will see the lines as fuzzy and broken, and there will be a large dark-colored spot in the central part.

An ophthalmologist will be able to recognize the disease even before changes in visual function. For an accurate diagnosis, the patient must undergo examination.

Visometry. Using the method, you can evaluate visual acuity.
Ophthalmoscopy. Studies the condition of the retina and vascular tubules in the fundus.
Bioophthalmoscopy. Used to examine the fundus of the eye.
Optical coherence tomography. This method is considered the most effective for diagnosing macular degeneration at an early stage.
Amsler test. This method can also be done at home on your own.

Treatment process for macular degeneration of the retina

Macular degeneration cannot be completely cured. But in practice there are methods that allow you to overcome the disease and stop its progression. This includes the following procedures.

Laser therapy. A laser device is used to remove damaged blood vessels.
Photodynamic treatment. The purpose of this method is to introduce a special medicine into the blood that can penetrate the damaged vessels of the eye. After this, they take a laser device that helps to hit new vessels of the pathological type.
Anti-angiogenesis factor. Thanks to such means, it is possible to stop the growth of pathological tubules.
Devices for low vision. Since macular degeneration deprives a person of the ability to fully see, specialized electronic devices and lenses compensate for this loss, while creating an enlarged image of the surrounding world.

If the above methods do not help or an advanced stage is observed, then the patient is prescribed the following.

Submacular surgery. Characterized by the removal of pathological vessels.
Retinal translocation. In such a situation, the affected vessels under the retina are eliminated.

In dry type macular degeneration, antioxidant therapy is recommended to normalize metabolic processes in the retina. According to statistics, excellent results from the use of antioxidants were observed in those patients who were in an intermediate or advanced form of the disease. Combination treatment with antioxidants, zinc and copper significantly reduced the development of macular degeneration by twenty percent.

Treatment of wet type dystrophy is aimed at reducing the growth of affected vessels. In medicine, there are several means and methods that stop the manifestation of abnormal neovascularization.

Treatment of macular degeneration of the retina with traditional methods

Each patient is looking for the best way to treat macular degeneration. One of these is treatment with folk remedies.

Using goat milk. It has unique properties. It is enough to mix a little with water in equal parts and drop one drop into each eye. After this, a dark bandage is placed over the eyes and rest is provided for half an hour. The treatment course lasts seven days.
The use of pine decoction. To prepare the infusion, you need to add pine needles, rose hips and onion scales. Pour in water and boil for approximately ten minutes. After this, the broth should cool. You need to consume up to one and a half liters per day. The course of treatment is one month.
Use of celandine. To prepare the infusion, you need to take one spoon of dry leaves and pour a cup of boiled water. Place on the fire for a few seconds and let it brew. The infusion must be filtered and placed in the refrigerator. The decoction is used as eye drops. The duration of the treatment course is one month.
Lotions made from a decoction based on nettle and lily of the valley. It is necessary to take equal proportions of herbs and pour a cup of boiled water. Let it brew for twenty minutes, then strain. Lotions must be done at least three times a day for two weeks.

Preventive measures to prevent macular degeneration of the retina

Macular degeneration leads to various complications, including loss of visual function. But in order to protect yourself from developing the disease, you need to follow several recommendations. These include the following activities.

An annual examination by an ophthalmologist.
Use of sunglasses.
Quitting bad habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol.
Restriction on fatty foods. It is also necessary to enrich the diet with vegetables, fruits and fish.
The use of vitamin complexes for the visual organ.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Timely treatment of any diseases.
Carrying out daily gymnastics for the visual organ.
Organization of adequate sleep and rest.

Previously, the disease was considered age-related, but nowadays you can find patients under forty years of age. Therefore, do not forget about the health of the visual organ and adhere to all recommended rules.

Macular degeneration of the retina - a disease better known as AMD(Age-related macular degeneration). It affects the central, one of the most important areas of the retina - the macula, which has a significant impact on visual perception.

The reason why quality decreases is called degeneration of the macula - one of the important areas of the retina of the eyeball. The retina is the layer of the eyeball that is responsible for the quality and “focus” of central vision, which is used when driving or reading. The disease is characterized by a rapid process of loss of central light perception. Today, this issue is most acute, since the percentage of the population at risk is growing every day. The level of complexity of the disorder is primarily determined by the form of macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration is one of the main causes of the irreversible process of vision loss; the risk group is considered to be the category of people who have reached the age of fifty.

Macular degeneration of the retina -
degeneration or degeneration of the optic spot

The constant exchange of nutrients in the retina contributes to the emergence of free radicals, which subsequently provoke an increase in destructive processes due to disruption of the functioning of the antioxidant system. At the same time, drusen (a polymer structure that cannot be split) form in the retina of the eyeball.

The formation of drusen leads to atrophy of the layers bordering the retina, and vessels begin to form in the retinal epithelium. Following this, the processes of scar formation begin, which are accompanied by the loss of receptors responsible for the transmission of light.

Specialists in this field distinguish two forms of the disease – dry and wet macular degeneration.

Dry form of retinal macular degeneration diagnosed much more often. The disease is characterized by the appearance of yellow spots in the pupil. As the disease progresses, patients lose the ability to distinguish small details and a process of loss of focus occurs. The disease progresses slowly, but after a long period of time, geographic atrophy can develop, and subsequently complete blindness.

Despite the enormous achievements of medicine over the past few decades, there are still no radical measures to influence the disease. Scientists have proven that the use of certain vitamins can slow down the progress of the disease, expressed in dry form. From these same studies we can conclude that the use of special food additives can reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration by twenty-five percent. Treatment of dry macular degeneration of the retina is a grueling procedure, the result of which is impossible to predict. Ophthalmologists advise patients diagnosed with the dry form of the disease to wear tinted glasses that will protect their eyes from the harmful radiation of the sun.

Both forms are characterized by a low-contrast image, a veil before the eyes and impaired color perception

Wet form of retinal macular degeneration– has become much less common among the population. The disease develops rapidly and entails significant vision loss. During the wet form of macular degeneration of the retina, vascular growth begins. Neoplasms are defective due to the thinning of their structure. The blood circulating through them is passed into the gap located under the retina, which causes disruption of the cells of the retina. The result is blind spots in the central vision area.

The unhealthy course of neovascularization is explained by the body’s incorrect attempt to create another circulatory network to obtain a full amount of oxygen and nutrients from the retina of the eyeball.

Symptoms

The development of the disease causes a slow and painless, but, unfortunately, irreversible loss of vision. There are cases when the disease is transient. In the initial stage, the symptoms of macular degeneration of the retina have the following form:

distortion of perception;
significant deterioration in the quality of vision at night;
loss of clarity of the “picture”;
the appearance of various spots before the eyes;
loss of color perception.

To establish a diagnosis and identify the disease, a special technique is used. The Amsler grid contains intersecting straight lines, with a black dot in the center of the plexus. People with symptoms of macular degeneration of the retina of the eyeball perceive some of these lines as blurry, and when they try to focus their vision, dark spots appear.

A competent specialist is able to diagnose the disease at the development stage, before the onset of catastrophic changes, and prescribe appropriate treatment for macular degeneration of the retina.

Causes and risk factors for the development of macular degeneration of the retina

Scientists have been struggling for many years over the causes of macular degeneration of the retina of the eyeball. Despite the fact that many factors contributing to the manifestation of the disease have not yet been identified, the following points can be summarized as characteristic of ninety percent of cases.

Macular degeneration usually affects both eyes, but it does not occur at the same time

Age. One of the main reasons for the development of the disease. In the middle age group, this disease occurs in only two percent of cases. In the age range from sixty-five to seventy-five, twenty percent of those who sought help from an ophthalmologist. At a later age, signs of macular degeneration appear in every third person. In addition, there is the fact of genetic transmission of the disease. The most significant risk factors are:

bad habits - this factor is confirmed by all medical studies;
race – the disease is widespread among representatives of the Caucasian race;
diseases of the cardiovascular system;
poor nutrition and excess weight;
exposure to ultraviolet rays;
light color of the iris.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of the disease is based on the collection of medical history, complaints from the patient, information obtained as a result of examination of the eyeball. One of the best methods for detecting the disease is considered to be FAGD (Fluorescein angiography of the fundus). When testing vision using this technique, special substances are used that are injected into the eyeball, and then a series of photographs of the fundus is taken. These images can also be used as initial data to monitor the processes occurring in patients diagnosed with dry macular degeneration of the retina. Also, to assess the condition of the retinal area and changes in the macula, optical tomography is used, thanks to which it is possible to identify changes affecting the structure of the eyeball at an early stage of the disease.

Using an ophthalmoscope, you can “see” a reliable picture of pathological changes in the organs of vision.

Treatment of dry and wet forms of macular degeneration

Today, therapy for age-related macular degeneration of the retina is a rather complex and controversial procedure. When treating the dry form of the disease, to restore and stabilize the process of exchange of useful elements in the retina, it is necessary to undergo a course of antioxidant therapy.
People over the age of fifty who are at risk should know that the prevention and treatment of this disease cannot take the form of a course. It is necessary to undergo treatment constantly.

Treatment of wet retinal macular degeneration involves focusing on suppressing abnormal growth of the vascular system. The ophthalmologist selects special medications that stop the growth of blood vessels and thereby increase the quality of vision.

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Main symptoms:

Ocular hemorrhages
Distortion of the outlines of objects
Appearance of dark spots in the field of vision
Difficulty navigating in the dark
Reducing text visibility
Decreased vision
Difficulty recognizing people's faces

Macular degeneration of the retina is a disease in which there is damage to the central region of the retina (macula) and a significant decrease in visual function in general. Patients first experience a decrease in the diameter of the blood vessels through which the retina is directly fed. As a result, the tissues of the visual apparatus cease to fully receive the necessary nutrients and oxygen.

Impaired functioning of the macula causes a decrease in visual acuity to the point that only peripheral vision is preserved. Typically, macular degeneration of the eye is diagnosed in patients who have crossed the 50-year mark. It is for this reason that it is also called age-related.

The main factor in the progression of macular degeneration of the retina is the physiological process of aging of the human body. It is worth noting that representatives of the fair sex are more susceptible to this disease. This is due to the fact that their life expectancy is slightly longer than that of men.

Etiology

To date, scientists have not yet precisely established the true causes that provoke the progression of age-related macular degeneration. But there is an opinion that this pathology is multifactorial. Now, several factors are reliably known that to a certain extent increase the risk of progression of pathology in humans:

age. Age-related macular degeneration is the most common pathology due to which people in the older age group lose their vision. It is also worth noting that macular degeneration is a disease that, in extremely rare cases, is diagnosed in childhood;
hereditary predisposition. Congenital macular degeneration can be diagnosed in people whose relatives also had a history of this pathology;
gender Pathology is more often detected in the fair sex;
active smoking often provokes the progression of retinal macular degeneration;
intense sunlight. It can cause damage to the retina;
low quality food. This means that retinal macular degeneration progresses more often in individuals whose diet does not contain sufficient amounts of substances that have a beneficial effect on the full functioning of the visual apparatus;
excess body weight;
the presence of cardiovascular pathologies.

Varieties

Dry form

The dry form is characterized primarily by the absence of newly formed vessels as it progresses. This form is diagnosed in 85–90% of patients from the total number of cases. Dry macular degeneration is an early form of progression of the disease, which occurs due to the physiological aging of the human body. As a result of this process, thinning of the macula tissue is observed and pigment is deposited in it. A characteristic sign that this form will soon progress is the formation of small spots around the macula, which doctors call drusen.

The dry form progresses in 3 stages:

early. A visual examination of the eye can reveal that a certain number of drusen have formed (they have different sizes). It is worth noting that at this stage the patient does not have symptoms indicating a malfunction of the visual apparatus;
intermediate. Upon examination, the patient is diagnosed with several medium-sized drusen or one, but large one. In some clinical situations, patients note that a spot has appeared in their field of vision that does not have a clear outline;
expressed. At this stage, destruction of light-sensitive cells occurs. The spot in the field of view enlarges and darkens. A person has difficulty reading.

If the dry form develops, a decrease in visual function is noted.

Wet form

With this form of the disease, the process of formation of new vessels begins behind the retina. As a result, hemorrhages often occur, which, in turn, damage light-sensitive cells and lead to their necrosis.

Wet macular degeneration is divided into 2 types:

hidden. The formation of new vessels occurs unnoticed and hemorrhages are insignificant. Visual impairment is minimal;
classical. Rapid growth of blood vessels, formation of scar tissue. Against this background, visual impairment progresses.

Medical professionals also often use the following classification:

primary macular degeneration. The pathological process develops primarily, against the background of aging of the body;
secondary. This form develops against the background of pathologies already existing in the human body. Typically, secondary macular degeneration progresses with injuries to the visual apparatus of any severity. It is also worth noting that the secondary form is diagnosed more often.

Symptoms

The dry type of pathology usually progresses gradually and painlessly for the patient. The first alarming symptoms of the development of such a pathological process are as follows:

difficulty navigating in the dark;
decreased visual function;
there is a decrease in text visibility;
a person experiences some difficulty recognizing people's faces;
There is a dark spot in the field of view that has no definite boundaries.

With the wet type of the disease, distortion of the outlines of objects is noted. It seems to the patient that straight lines are bent.

Diagnostics

If such symptoms occur, you should immediately contact a medical facility for a thorough and comprehensive diagnosis. A standard pathology diagnostic plan includes the following activities:

examination and interview of the patient;
study of visual fields;
examination of the fundus using ophthalmoscopy;
fluorescein angiography;
Amsler grid test.

Therapeutic measures

To date, no effective treatment for macular degeneration has yet been developed, so it is not possible to restore vision. But there are ways that will either stop or completely slow down the growth of blood vessels behind the retina. For this purpose, doctors resort to laser coagulation.

Treatment of macular degeneration is sometimes supplemented with folk remedies that help reduce the negative consequences of the pathology. It should be immediately noted that any folk remedies should be used only after consulting with your doctor and obtaining his permission to do so. Traditional medicine should not be the only treatment method. It is advisable to combine it with traditional methods.

The most effective folk remedies:

eating wheat sprouts;
a widely used folk remedy is the consumption of legumes such as chickpeas;
infusion of aloe juice and mumiyo.

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An important component of the structure of the visual apparatus is the retina, which ensures the unhindered passage of light impulses. Under the influence of a number of factors, various degenerative processes can occur in the eyeball, which lead to loss of vision. One form of such degeneration is macular degeneration - tissue death in the central part of the retina.

Macular degeneration is an ophthalmological disease in which tissue damage to the retina occurs in its central part, which is commonly called the macula or yellow retina. In normal condition, the macula provides good color perception and high visual acuity. But with age, degenerative processes begin to occur in the structure of the eyeball, as a result of which central vision is impaired. Most often, this form of dystrophy occurs in older people, which is why it is also called age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Stages of macular degeneration

Depending on the severity of the degenerative process, there are 2 stages of development of macular degeneration:

Early. Age-related maculopathy is characterized by changes in the fundus that are almost asymptomatic. Taking into account the degree of changes, the doctor determines the rate of progression of the disease and selects conservative treatment.
Late. An advanced degenerative process in which the eyeball undergoes serious changes. The ocular structure undergoes fibrotic degeneration, hypersensitive cells rapidly die, causing loss of vision. There are dry and wet forms of late retinal AMD. Treatment for late-stage macular degeneration of the eye should be started as early as possible, otherwise there is a high probability of complete loss of central vision.

In the early stages of the pathological process, a slight distortion of vision is observed, which, without proper treatment, progresses and leads to severe complications. However, AMD cannot cause complete retina, since the peripheral part of the retina is not damaged.

Dry form

The dry or atrophic form of macular degeneration of the retina occurs in most cases, resulting from age-related changes in the structure of the eye and impaired blood supply. It is characterized by slow progression and minor vision loss. In the area of the macula and posterior pole, yellow spots (drusen) form, which affect the photoreceptors and provoke a gradual decrease in visual acuity.

Central vision deteriorates, and the person begins to have difficulty distinguishing colors and small details. Atrophic age-related macular degeneration first affects one eye and then spreads to the second organ of vision.

There is currently no effective treatment for dry retinal AMD.

Wet form

In 20% of cases, dry macular degeneration can progress to a wet form of degeneration, which is characterized by rapid loss of vision. Wet or exudative age-related macular degeneration of the retina is much less common, but poses a great danger to the human visual system. With this form of pathology, new blood vessels are formed, growing in the direction of the macula. These vessels can rupture and scar, causing the death of photoreceptors.

The wet form of AMD is characterized by rapid progression and rapid loss of the central field of vision; the prognosis is poor. First, the patient complains of image distortion, then light reflections and lines appear in the field of vision, and a little later a blind spot forms.

Symptoms

At the initial stage, macular degeneration develops asymptomatically, the patient may notice only a slight deterioration in the quality of vision. As the pathological process progresses, the following symptoms begin to appear:

blurred image;
color vision impairment;
poor visibility in dim lighting;
veil, dark spots before the eyes;
increased sensitivity to light;
violation of the outlines of objects;
curvature of straight lines.

The clinical picture of senile macular degeneration can develop gradually or rapidly. There is a progressive deterioration of central vision, as a result of which the patient begins to experience difficulties with reading, recognizing faces, working with small details and correctly identifying colors.

There is no pain or discomfort in the eyes with this disease.

Diagnostics

With severe symptoms of the degenerative process, making the correct diagnosis is usually not difficult. To determine the form of the pathology and select effective treatment, the doctor first conducts a thorough survey and examination of the patient, after which he prescribes various diagnostic measures:

ophthalmoscopy;
biomicroscopy;
fluorescein angiography;
optical coherence tomography;
indocyanine green angiography;
computer perimetry;
Amsler grid test.

You can diagnose macular degeneration at home. To do this, you need to take a sheet of paper from a squared notebook, cut out a square measuring 10 by 10 cm and put a black dot in the middle. Next, you need to attach this sheet of paper to the wall, stand at a distance of 1 meter from the sheet, close one eye and slowly approach the wall, stopping 15 cm from the depicted point.

The presence of retinal dystrophy will be indicated by curvature of lines and dark spots.

Conservative treatment

It is impossible to cure the dry form of age-related macular degeneration using a conservative method. However, to normalize metabolic processes, antioxidant and vitamin therapy can be prescribed. Some modern clinics conduct research on cell transplantation. Therapy involves intraocular administration of the drug Aylia or Lucentis. Additionally, antioxidants, immunostimulants, vitamins and folic acid are prescribed.

Laser treatment

The most effective treatment for any form of macular degeneration is laser coagulation, which stops the growth of blood vessels and blocks bleeding. Laser therapy stops vision deterioration and helps achieve a positive result, but its duration may not be long-term. For dry AMD, laser removal of drusen is performed. The wet form of the disease can be treated by laser activation of a drug administered intravenously.

Surgical treatment

In addition to laser coagulation, radiation or photodynamic therapy can be performed for macular degeneration. Sometimes submacular surgery is prescribed, the essence of which is to excise the formed pathogenic vessels of the retina. Surgery helps eliminate drusen, bleeding and unnecessary vessels, so that the degenerative process stops and further loss of vision does not occur.

Indications for surgery for AMD

Surgical treatment of degenerative processes of the retina is prescribed if it is not possible to eliminate the pathology in a conservative way. The operation can be performed on any patient who has a significant deterioration in central vision and there is a high likelihood of complications. The presence of concomitant ophthalmological diseases can also be an indication for surgery. Before undergoing surgery, you should consult your doctor and make sure there are no contraindications.

Treatment of AMD with folk remedies

In addition to the main method of therapy with doctor's permission You can use the following folk remedies:

Mix 100 ml of aloe juice and 50 grams of mumiyo. Use the resulting product as eye drops, 1 drop twice a day for 10 days.
Combine 50 ml of goat milk and water, instill the resulting product 1 drop at a time, then cover the sore eye with a dark bandage for 30 minutes. Repeat the procedure for 7 days.
Boil 1 tablespoon of calendula flowers in a glass of boiling water for 5 minutes, let it brew, strain and drop 2 drops into your eyes, and take 50 ml orally for six months.

Another good folk remedy for macular degeneration is hirudotherapy (treatment with leech saliva).

What not to do with macular degeneration

If a diagnosis of macular degeneration has been made, then it is strictly forbidden to let the disease take its course or self-medicate. It is necessary to carry out the treatment prescribed by the doctor and follow all recommendations. For age-related macular degeneration, it is prohibited.