Posts Tagged ‘Age’

What is age related macular degeneration (AMD) eye disorder?

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye disorder that occurs more commonly after age 50. It results primarily in the loss of central vision. It is marked by deterioration of the macula, a spot of densely packed specialized cells centered at the back of the retina. These cells allow you to see color and fine detail. Damage to these cells can leave you with a blind spot in the central portion of your vision.

There are two types of AMD: dry and wet.
With dry AMD, initial changes occur in the retinal pigment epithelium, a thin layer of tissue sandwiched between the photo-sensitive cells of the retina and a layer of blood vessels. The choroids is the nourishing vascular coat of the eye that extends from the iris back to the optic nerve. The choroids lies between the retina and the tough outer shell of the eye called the sclera. The RPE forms the outermost surface of the retina and provides a critical passage way for nutrients and waste products between the retina and the choroids. Dry AMD tends to progress slowly and some people may not be bothered by it unless they live to a very old age. Evidence suggests that certain vitamins and minerals in your diet may help slow the progression of AMD.

The wet form of AMD is characterized by abnormal blood vessels that grow from the choroids into the space underneath the retinal pigment epithelium and the retina. Plasma and blood can leak into tissues and destroy light sensitive cells. Almost all cases of wet AMD start out as the dry form. Wet AMD also progresses much more rapidly than dry form. If dark spots are seen in the center of your vision or wavy visual distortions, these may be signs of wet AMD. One of the most common and effective treatment for wet AMD is the use of anti-angiogenic medications. These medications are injected directly into the eye which will prevent or retard the growth of new abnormal blood vessels by blocking the effects of a growth factor that these blood vessels need to thrive.

Other older therapies for wet AMD include photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy. These destroy the abnormal blood vessels beneath the retina. These procedures have certain drawbacks and are also limited by where and to what extent the vessels have formed.

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What are eye disorders related to age? Continued…

Some eye problems become common as age increases. There are variety of measures one can take to minimize or even prevent the effects of eye conditions including:

- Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye. As your age increases, the eye lens becomes stiffer, thicker and less transparent. Protein fibers in the lens break down and clump together and start to take on a whitish or yellow-brown color. The resulting cloudiness changes the refractive ability of the lens so that the light entering you eye is scattered and the lens cannot project a sharp and focused image.
Early stage will need a new eye glass prescription or a magnifying class to increase sharpness, ultraviolet protection sunglasses and headgear to decrease glare.
Mono-focal lenses are the most commonly implanted lenses and they have one power.
Multi-focal intraocualar lens implants function similarly to bifocal eyeglasses.
Cataract surgery leads to improve vision in about 90 percent of people. Risks included are inflammation, bleeding, swelling, retinal detachment, increased pressure inside eye and lens dislocation.

- Glaucoma
It is a group or eye diseases characterized by damage to the optic nerve which is a bundle of more than a million nerve fibers at the back of your eye. The optic nerve sends electrical impulses to your brain which interrupts the impulses as images. The main cause in damaging the optic nerve is the high pressure inside the eye ball. The most common form of glaucoma called open-angle glaucoma develops so gradually that you may not notice until you begin to lose your peripheral vision.
Visit your eye doctor regularly. Glaucoma can be controlled but no cured. Good thing is the eyesight can be preserved. The main goal of treatment is to reduce the pressure in eyeballs. Prescribed eye drops are the first step of treatment to lower the pressure. If these do not work, surgical procedures are available.
One method of surgery, laser trabeculoplasty uses a laser to help open up your eyes drainage system so that fluid drains out more easily.

How does an image reaches your brain through your eye? What are age related eye problems?

Eyes are far superior to any existing technology because they are made of living tissues. Eyes move and function together in perfect synchronization. Each eyeball makes many rapid adjustments for brightness, focus and internal pressure. The journey of an image to your brain includes five steps:

- Light passes through your cornea.
- Light is directed through your pupil.
- The crystalline lens fine tunes the focus.
- The retina transforms light into electrical impulses.
- The brain “sees” the image.

Some eye problems become common as age increases. There are variety of measures one can take to minimize or even prevent the effects of eye conditions including:
- Presbyopia
It is also called near vision. Wearing corrective eyeglasses is the simplest way to manage presbyopia. Prescription eyeglasses also are a relatively simple way to correct for presbyopia. Another option is to wear bifocal contact lenses or wear a different strength of contact lengths on each eye. Multi-focal intracular lens implants – plastic lenses that are surgically placed inside the eyes may be another option.

- Dry Eyes
Tears are an essential lubricant for eyes and are produced by glands in and around eyelids. Sometimes, tear production and tear quality decreases with age causing dry eyes. Dry eyes make your eyes feel hot and gritty and appear irritated but they seldom cause eye damage. Dry eyes can be treated by using non prescription, preservative free artificial tear solutions, applying ointments that moisten and protect the cornea for longer intervals that can artificial tears alone. Another option is blocking the ducts with tiny removable silicone or gel like plugs, using prescribed eye drops to increase production of tears.