Bellevue LASIK & Cornea Blog | Dr. Leavitt and Dr. Farag

Macular degeneration is caused by aging eyes and affects nearly ten million people age 55 and older. It is a painless and gradual disease that leads to permanent blindness, and there is no known cure. It is also known as age related macular degeneration (AMD).

AMD first develops in the retinal pigment eptithelium (RPE), which is a layer of cells behind the retina called the macula. The cells, called rods and cones, are made up of an inner and an outer segment. The inner segment produces proteins. These proteins respond to light. The outer segment stores and uses the proteins that are produced. The cells wear out and are removed by the RPE cells. These are then replaced. When the RPE cells begin to degenerate, the result is yellow, fatty deposits that form beneath the rods and cones. Vision then begins to deteriorate.

Symptoms of AMD include:

• Fuzzy or distorted vision
• Difficulty recognizing faces
• Difficulty recognizing faces
• Difficulty adapting to seeing in levels of low light
• Areas of shadow in central vision
• Blurred printed words
• Need for very bright light for near distance vision activities
  

There is no treatment known to reverse AMD, but regimens of high doses of vitamins may slow down AMD in its early stages. Later stages may benefit from the drugs Lucentis, Macugen, and Visudyne.

If you are over the age of 45, you should be screened for macular degeneration. If you are in the Bellevue, Olympia, or Seattle area, please contact Dr. Leavitt at Bellevue LASIK & Cornea.