What causes macular degeneration?

Question

What causes macular degeneration? I heard a rumor it can be caused by being outside in bright sunlight without sunglasses. Is that true? If so, it it the bright visible light or ultraviolet light doing the damage?

Answer 1

people develop macular degeneration as part of the body's natural aging process. Less commonly, macular degeneration may be an inherited condition, as in the case of juvenile macular degeneration. Injury, infection, inflammation or extreme nearsightedness may also damage the delicate tissue of the macula.

The two most common types of age related macular degeneration are "dry" (atrophic) and "wet"(exudative):

"Dry" macular degeneration (also called atrophic or invilutional macular degeneration):

By far the most common type, "dry" macular degeneration is caused by aging and thinning of the tissues of the macula. Vision loss is usually gradual.

"Wet" macular degeneration (also called exudative or hemorrhaging macular degeneration):

Accounting for about 10% of all cases, "wet" macular degeneration results when abnormal blood vessels form at the back of the eye. These new blood vessels leak fluid and blood. Leaking fluid distorts and blurs central vision, often resulting in dense scar tissue in the macula. Vision loss may be rapid and severe.

Answer 2

Macular degeneration or commonly age-related macular degeneration is a an eye condition that affects the macula of the eye, the part where the central vision is processed and where it is at its sharpest.

Here are five things that you need to know about AMD that might help you avoid developing this debilitating disease.

1. It’s more common and widespread than you think.
2. It can cause blindness.
3. There are two different types of AMD.- The first is called wet age-related macular degeneration (neovascular), while the second is called dry age-related macular degeneration (atrophic).
4. There is no cure YET for AMD.
5. It can prevent you from doing activities that you have long been accustomed to.

If you need a detailed explanation about AMD read the rest of the information here: http://www.arizonaretinalspecialists.com/five-things-need-know-age-related-macular-degeneration/

Answer 3

No one knows the causes of age-related macular degeneration. Causes are likely to be genetically inherited, but environmental factors also contribute. Macular degeneration often runs in families. A recent study of twins showed that genetic factors play a significant role in the cause.

Many of the following risk factors have been found to be associated with age-related macular degeneration:

* Age: The likelihood to develop macular degeneration increases with age.


* Race: Macular degeneration is more common in whites but occurs in all races.


* Smoking


* High blood pressure


* Vascular disease


* High intake of saturated fat and cholesterol


* High blood cholesterol level


* Farsightedness (hyperopia)


* Exposure to sunlight


* Family history

Answer 4

Macular degeneration can be overcome and reversed in the early stages with a diet of delicious natural foods, certain supplements, quality rest, and the use of amber sunglasses while out in the sun.

Proven results, confirmed by eye doctors - see BeatMacDegen.com for the TOTAL HEALTH BOOK containing these methods and many tips for clearer vision, higher energy, and longer life.

Answer 5

Causes

· Age: It occurs mainly to the people above 60 years of age.
· Family History: It also occurs if in past it happens to any of your family member.
· Hypertension: High blood pressure also results in gradual decrease in vision loss.
· Obesity: High cholesterol greatly affects the cardiovascular status.
· Smoking: It is revealed in a research that there are 2 to 3 times greater chances of macular degeneration in smokers than in non smokers.
· Exposure to Sunlight: It is also caused due to the direct exposure of sunlight or the ultraviolet radiation of sun to the human eyes.