Questions & Answers

There is no general standard or way to predict how fast or slow macular degeneration will progress; this varies greatly from person to person.

Concerning whether or not to have cataract surgery, it would be best decided by you and an ophthalmologist familiar with your specific case. Generally speaking, the results are contradictory regarding cataract surgery in patients with macular degeneration, with some patients reporting significant improvement after having surgery, and others finding very little to no improvement. This is a factor that depends heavily on the severity of the underlying macular degeneration. For example, if a patient with advanced macular degeneration has a cataract removed, they may report that they notice very little improvement in their vision because the problems caused by the underlying macular degeneration are so pronounced. However, a patient with macular degeneration that has not progressed to the more advanced stages may very well report a significant improvement or stabilization of their vision after surgery.

Unfortunately, there are juvenile forms of macular degeneration. At present, there is no cure for the disease, so there is no “recovery” period. However, there are a number of promising treatments that are aimed at stopping or preventing the disease from worsening. So there is hope. Macular degeneration is a disease that affects the central field of vision, so patients often see a blind spot in the center of whatever they are looking at, which makes it hard to differentiate facial features. This is likely why he has a hard time recognizing you.

There is actually a vitamin formulation specifically targeted for persons with macular degeneration, and it is based on the AREDS study. To learn more about the AREDS study and the recommended vitamin therapy, please visit the following link to the National Eye Institute's website: http://www.nei.nih.gov/amd/summary.asp.

There are a number of companies that market this product and each has created their unique brand name. Also, before beginning this or any other vitamin regimen, it is highly recommended that you seek the advice of your physician. Please note that all medications and supplements should only be taken under medical supervision.

As far as new treatments are concerned, that depends on whether or not you have the dry or the wet form of the disease. However, in any case, there are many promising studies being conducted in hopes of developing new treatments and/or improving upon those currently available. Unfortunately, to date there is no cure for the disease.

Presently, there is no cure for macular degeneration. However, many patients have benefited from injections of anti-angiogenic agents (compounds aimed at stopping or preventing damage caused by the formation of fragile, leaky blood vessels commonly associated with wet macular degeneration). Whether or not your mother may also benefit from these injections is something you should discuss with her ophthalmologist, as the stage and progression of the disease are critical factors in making this decision.

This question, unfortunately, has no definite answer. There is no specific rate or timeline that can be ascribed to loss of vision associated with macular degeneration. Most patients with macular degeneration do not end up going totally blind. In fact, many patients diagnosed with early-stage dry macular degeneration never end up progressing to the wet, more advanced and sight-threatening stages of the disease. This is something that has to be evaluated on an individual basis. All patients are different and there is no general rule of thumb that can be applied to this disease.

Smoking is a major risk factor for macular degeneration as well as a number of other major diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer. The adverse effects of smoking, and its impact on the incidence of macular degeneration, is well documented. One possible explanation might be the fact that smoking can cause the blood vessels to constrict. This significantly hinders the amount of oxygen and other nutrients available to our body's tissues, including the eyes. Smoking also is associated with a decrease in antioxidant levels. Antioxidants are needed to slow or prevent adverse chemical reactions from occurring that can cause damage to our body's cells. All of these factors likely play a role in the increased incidence of diseases like macular degeneration in persons who smoke.

No,macular degeneration should not cause you to see red and blue spots. Symptoms of macular degeneration are usually associated with a progressive blurriness or dimming of the central visual field, often described by patients as the development of a blind spot in the center of what they are looking at. This age-related eye disease affects the macula, a region of the eye responsible for allowing us to see things with fine detail.

As a general rule, macular degeneration does not cause total blindness. Also, just because you have been diagnosed with dry macular degeneration does not mean that you will definitely lose your ability to see. Many patients with dry macular degeneration never fully lose their eyesight. There is no timeline for visual changes associated with macular degeneration; these factors vary independently from patient to patient. The best recommendation is to follow a healthy lifestyle with proper diet and exercise, protect your eyes from prolonged sun exposure, maintain a regular schedule of eye exams, and report any changes in vision, no matter how subtle, to your eye care specialist immediately.