When you learn that you or a loved one has macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), you probably know very little about it, as most people do.
AMD is a common eye disease that is the most valuable cause of vision loss in individuals over 50 years of age. The macula is the most sensitive part of the retina at the back of the eye and consists of millions of cells that allow us to see the objects we look at clearly.
The retina converts the image into electrical signals and sends these signals to the relevant part of the brain via the optic nerve. Here the signals are converted into the landscapes we see.
When the macula is damaged for any reason, the center of where we look may be blurred or dark, and objects may appear broken, bent, or smaller or larger than they are.
That’s why AMD (favorable macular degeneration) can prevent us from doing our daily tasks such as recognizing faces, driving or reading and writing, crafting and cooking.
Yellow spot eye disease sometimes progresses very slowly and there is no loss of vision for many years. Sometimes, it can progress rapidly and cause one or two significant vision loss and complete blindness.
In this article, you will find information about the symptoms of macular degeneration, treatment of macular degeneration and the latest developments in this area, as well as information about macular degeneration surgery that can be applied to some patients. At the end of the article, there are answers to the questions that come to mind about the yellow dot.
Yellow Spot Disease Symptoms
Age-related macular degeneration can sometimes occur without any symptoms. However, in brief, we can list the following for yellow spot symptoms;
-
Decreased vision quality
-
vision loss
-
Darkness before the eyes
-
Seeing objects as broken
-
Mixing of colors
-
blurred vision
Who is more risky?
-
Advanced age: It is the most valuable risk factor for age-related macular degeneration. Although it is more common after the age of 60, it can occur at earlier ages today.
-
Smoking: Studies show that smoking doubles the risk of macular degeneration.
-
Race: It is more common in the Caucasian race.
-
Familial and genetic predisposition: Those with a family history of AMD are at higher risk. Since many genes have been discovered that increase the risk of AMD, as well as factors such as smoking and unstable diet, there is no genetic test that can diagnose the disease before it occurs. Therefore, routine genetic testing before the disease is unnecessary.
Questions to Ask a Retina Specialist
-
Can my age-related macular degeneration be treated?
-
How will this disease affect my vision in the future?
-
What symptoms should I inform you if they occur?
-
Should I make changes in my diet, habits and lifestyle?
Since the degree of vision loss varies from person to person, there are different types of assistive vision tools. These:
-
Reading with high prescription glasses
-
Digital handheld magnifier and image magnifiers
-
Computers with large print and speech systems
-
Talking clocks and calculators
-
Computer technologies that use cameras and closed-circuit television to enlarge printed text
Living with AMD
-
Vision loss due to AMD can profoundly affect your life.
-
You may need to reduce your work, recreation, and daily activity.
-
You may have to ask for more help from family and friends.
-
This can lead to isolation and depression. In addition to receiving psychological treatment when necessary,
-
There are a number of things you can do to help keep you upbeat and motivated.
Could It Be Visual Hallucinations?
People with severe vision loss can sometimes see detailed photos of people, animals, buildings or images, which we call visual hallucinations. While this is alarming, it is not a sign of mental illness.
For example, our brain can create scenes on its own using our visual memory, even though we do not see it, so that some people who have lost an arm or leg still feel that their fingers or toes are itchy. This feature is a common side effect of significant vision loss in people with advanced AMD. However, it usually goes away after 1-1.5 years.
To reduce hallucinations, it may be helpful to turn on a light or television, close your eyes, or focus on a real object for a few minutes.
Are Nutrition and Habits Effective in Yellow Spot Disease?
Yes. There is a valuable link between yellow spot disease (AMD) and smoking habit. You can reduce your risk of AMD or slow its progression by doing the following:
-
Avoid smoking!!
-
Exercise regularly.
-
Keep your blood pressure (blood pressure) and cholesterol level within normal limits.
-
Gain a rich diet of green leafy vegetables, fruits, fish and olive oil.
-
If your vitamin D level is low, definitely take vitamin D supplements under the supervision of a doctor.
