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Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Macula is that portion of the retina that focuses for the central vision. Age-related macular degeneration is caused by the ultimate degeneration of the nerve cells in the macula, causing a decrease or loss of central vision.
Certain factors increase the likelihood of macular degeneration: age, sex, tobacco use, family history, cholesterol, and race. 2% of persons 50 years of age and 30% of persons 70 years or older are afflicted with macular degeneration.
There are two major types of age-related macular degeneration, the dry form and the wet form. For a detailed understanding of this problem, please go to www.nei.nih.gov/publications/armd-p.htm.
In April of 2000, photodynamic laser therapy offered some hope to persons afflicted with the wet form of age-related macular degeneration. At the present time, there is no treatment for the dry form. Much research is going on to better understand this devastating disease that afflicts millions.
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Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition in the eye in which the nerve cells of the eye die because the eye pressure (intraocular pressure) is too high for the nerve cells to tolerate. The nerve cells die off causing a loss of vision.
Glaucoma is a preventable and treatable disease if discovered early. Significant factors can influence the development of glaucoma, for example heredity, race, diabetes, far-sightedness, previous eye injury, and long-term steroid and/or cortisone usage.
Regular eye tension checking and eye examinations can help detect the disease early and prevent loss of vision. Medical treatment with eye medications decreases the eye pressure and rarely is laser surgery or cutting surgeries necessary.
For detailed information, please go to www.eyenet.org/public/glaucoma/glaucoma.html.
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Cataracts
Cataracts are the clouding or opacification of the lens in the eye. The lens is that part of the eye that helps to focus light rays onto the retina, the neurosensitive layer that is connected to the brain through the optic nerve. Clouding of the lens decreases the visual acuity.
Although there are multiple causes of lens clouding, the development of most cataracts is related to aging. When a cataract decreases the vision to an extent that it interferes with a person’s way of life, the cataract can be removed surgically and an intraocular lens implanted. Doctors at The Eye Clinic P.C. perform the most up-to-date microsurgical method of cataract removal. Cataract removal surgeries are safely performed on an outpatient, short-stay basis.
For more information on cataracts, please go to www.eyenet.org/public/faqs/cataract/cataract_faq.html.
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