Eye Conditions

“An important pathological characteristic of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the accumulation of lipofuscin in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Lipofuscin may interfere with normal RPE cellular function and result in RPE death with associated loss of overlying photoreceptors.” according to the authors of The Role of Vitamin A in the Progression of Dry AMD.  […]

One’s ability to adapt to different lighting situations is affected in those who have macular degeneration (AMD) making it more difficult to adjust to new lighting environments.  Diminished light adaptation in changing light levels when transitioning for example from outside to inside is slower and a common symptom in those with this retinal condition. But […]

The Macular Degeneration Association (MDA) issued an urgent warning in March of 2016 to those who have been diagnosed with intermediate dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The warning advised patients to talk with their eye doctor about commonly prescribed eye vitamins using the Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) formula containing zinc, which upon further […]

One of the biggest fears for someone who has been diagnosed with a chronic or degenerative eye condition is the loss of the ability to read.  As an avid reader myself, I can understand that concern.  However, there is more than one way to enjoy your favorite author or genre of books. Audio books can […]

Have you noticed that on some days your vision is more clear and on other days the blurriness seems to be worse?   One person with early dry AMD shares his experience, “Sometimes my vision is as clear as can be, but on some days (seems to be more on less sunny days with lots of […]

My 89 year old father-in-law has wet macular degeneration in both eyes. He has trouble reading when he is away from home if he doesn’t bring his lighted magnifier with him. But he won’t. So when he is at a medical office, store, restaurant, etc and he has to read or look at a form […]

When someone has been diagnosed with macular degeneration the most common symptom that comes to mind is the loss of straight ahead or the center part of one’s vision.  This vision loss affects one’s ability to read or to recognize a familiar face.  But there are other changes that can also affect one’s quality of […]

There are many established risk factors for developing macular degeneration.  However, up until now there has not been a tool to analyze not only one’s risk factors, like age, gender, lifestyle and family history, but also to combine that information with clinical reports, such as the presence of macular drusen or the density of the […]

Have you ever considered participating in a clinical trial for your macular degeneration or any other eye disease? Macular degeneration (AMD) studies look at many different aspects of this retinal disease. The purpose may be to improve the visual acuity for those with macular degeneration, or to slow the progression of dry AMD to wet […]

Patients with macular diseases experience the loss of their straight ahead vision because the macula, which is a very tiny spot near the center of the retina, has become damaged. As a result many people with advanced macular degeneration will experience what is called a central scotoma.  It may start as a smudge in the […]