What causes macular degeneration in the eyes? Have there been any advances in curing this condition?
483108
The Muscular degeneration of the Eyes can be remedied by the regular use of the Homeopathic Remedy RUTA GRAV 30 and Argentum Nit 30\nWhich one is going to treat which specific patient only that patients individual symptoms will determine.\nTake care and God Bless !
463190
Age Related Macular Degeneration.  From the day most of us are born, we start getting this disease.  With all the baby boomers, in the next 10-30 years, this disease will skyrocket.  There is a ton of info on this subject, but few options.
13806
History: \n\nOcular history\nDiabetic history - Specific inquiry should be made into risk factors for the development of DR.\nType of diabetes - After 20 years of disease, nearly all patients with type I and 60% of patients with type II have some degree of retinopathy.\nDuration of the diabetes - Increased risk of DR\nAge of patient - DR is more likely to present in patients older than 40 years.\nDiabetic control - The Diabetes Control and Complication Trail (DCCT) has clearly demonstrated that tighter control of blood sugar is associated with reduced incidence of DR. (Glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] should be less than 7%.)\nRenal disease - Proteinuria is a good marker for the development of DR; thus, patients with diabetic nephropathy should be observed more closely.\nSystemic hypertension - Increased risk of retinopathy (DR with superimposed hypertensive retinopathy)\nTriglycerides and lipids - Normalization of lipid levels reduces retinal leakage and exudates deposition.\nPregnancy - DR can progress rapidly in pregnant women, especially those with preexisting DR. \n\nPhysical: Funduscopy under stereopsis and high magnification should be performed on every patient with diabetes to assess for DME and DR. An indirect ophthalmoscope does not provide adequate magnification for the ophthalmologist to diagnose DME.\n\nDME is defined as retinal thickening within 2 disc diameters of the center of the macula.\nFocal edema is associated with hard exudate rings resulting from leakage from microaneurysms.\nDiffuse edema results from breakdown of blood-retinal barrier with leakage from microaneurysms, retinal capillaries, and arterioles.\nCSME, as defined by the ETDRS, exists with any of the following findings:\nRetinal thickening within 500 mm of the center of the fovea\nHard, yellow exudates within 500 mm of the center of the fovea with adjacent retinal thickening\nAt least 1 disc area of retinal thickening, any part of which is within 1 disc diameter of the center of the fovea\nOther physical findings that should be noted include the following:\nVisual acuity is an important parameter in following the progression of CSME, although it does not aid in the diagnosis of CSME because patients may have a visual acuity of 20/20.\nThe status of the posterior hyaloid; detached, taut, thickened\nCauses: Causes include the following:\n\nAfter 20 years of the disease, nearly all patients with type I diabetes mellitus and 60% of patients with type II diabetes mellitus will have some degree of retinopathy.\nPoor control of blood sugar increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy.\nRenal disease can be a marker for the development of diabetic retinopathy.\nSystemic hypertension increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy.\nElevated lipid levels increase the risk of leakage and exudate deposits.
1068334
I recently started doing eye exercises to improve my vision. I am seeing some improvements, which is great encouragement to continue.\n\nI created a website and a blog so that people can follow my progress. Check it out...\n\nhttp://www.improvingmyeyesight.com/\n\nThere is also an article which talks about nutrition and eye care\nhttp://improvingmyeyesight.com/Nutrition_and_Eye_Health.html
834074
Dark eyes are ussually linked to lack of sleep, muscular morphism, inflamation of the blood vessels, or a brawl at the local pub.\n\nMight I suggest that he spents about half an hour twice a week lying on his back with a used, cold teabag over each eye.  The tea leaves cool the eye muscles and blood vessels down and should reduce the blackness.  This works btw.\n\nThere are also creams that do the same, see Boots, Avon and Superdrug for ideas.
326763
Cataracts & Vision - Carnosine and N-Acetylcarnosine Eye Drops\nCategories\nHealth through Nutrition\n(http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/chris/2006/03/16/cataracts_vision_carnosine_and_nacetylcarnosine_eye_drops.htm)\nPractical Health\n\nFurther to Cataract - MSM eye drop solution the following provides more information. Although it too discusses some animal data more importantly it also includes some good human clinical data. \n\nEarly cataract is also am indication of calcium overload and sometimes IV EDTA chelation can also reverse it.\n\nI can't emphasis the importance of non processed and low carbohydrate diets for all health conditions...,\n\nSee also: \n\nAvoiding Visual Degeneration\n\nAspartame and Vision Degradation\n \nChris Gupta\n\n---------------------\nCarnosine and N-Acetylcarnosine Eye Drops (original is here)\n\nNew Hope for Cataracts \nWard Dean, MD \n\nCataracts are the leading cause of blindness, accounting for about 42 percent of all cases of blindness worldwide (affecting about 17 million people). Twenty-eight thousand new cases are reported everyday. About 20 percent of all people over 60 have at least the beginning of a cataract in one or both eyes, and that figure rises to 80 percent for people over 75. \n\nThe most common type of cataract ­ a nuclear cataract ­ is characterized by a cloudy haze inside the lens (Fig. 1). This haze is the physical manifestation of a random clumping together of the once beautifully ordered arrangement of lens proteins called crystallins. As the cataract develops in size and density, it reduces the amount of light that passes through the lens and scatters the light that does get through. Thus, instead of all the light rays being focused precisely to a point on the retina, forming a sharp, clear image of what we are seeing, many of the rays are spread out across the retina, forming a fuzzy image. Colors may be dulled or distorted, and there may be an annoying halo of light around bright objects, causing a glare effect.\n\nCauses of Cataracts \nCauses of cataracts include cumulative ultraviolet radiation damage from sun exposure, heredity, poor nutrition, smoking, high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, and the long-term use of corticosteroids (the last two are major risk factors for cataracts). Oxidative free radicals produced by the above-listed causes are thought to damage vital biomolecules, including lipids and proteins, resulting in the clumping together of these proteins. The antidote to free radicals, of course, is antioxidants, such as glutathione, lipoic acid, and vitamins C and E. Consequently, many scientists believe that abundant consumption of antioxidants may delay the onset of cataracts. \n\nNutrients for Vision \nGood nutrition is a key element of effective prevention for most age-related diseases, and cataracts are no exception. A number of nutrients can benefit our eyes, and may help prevent diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. These nutrients include the tripeptide glutathione (the most abundant and important antioxidant in the human body, critical for protecting the lens from free radical damage); vitamins A and C; vitamin E and some of the B vitamins; various bioflavonoids (especially quercetin and hesperidin) and carotenoids (especially lutein and zeaxanthin); the amino acids taurine, N-acetylcysteine (a precursor of glutathione), and acetyl L-carnitine; the hormone melatonin; the alkaloid vinpocetine; the herbs bilberry, ginkgo, and garlic; the minerals zinc and selenium; and, last but certainly not least, the saturated fatty acid, lipoic acid (“the antioxidant’s antioxidant”), which plays a central role in maintaining the body’s antioxidant network.[1] \n\nCarnosine for Vision \nCarnosine ­ a dipeptide consisting of two amino acids (alanine and histidine) connected to each other by a chemical bond called the peptide bond ­ is one of the most exciting anti-aging nutrients that has recently become widel
691392
I've noticed my the floaters in my eyes have increased.    Then again I could just be getting older. Or it could be from my arc welding hobby too.  I'm much more cautious about taking quick glances at the curing light.
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Your question intrigued me.  My uncle was recently diagnosed with macular degeneration, although I do not know if it is "wet" or "dry."  I found the following treatments for wet macular degeneration.  I hope you don't mind that I'm cutting and pasting...\n\nSurgeons have several techniques to treat "wet" macular degeneration, including:\n\n-Laser photocoagulation. This procedure is used to stop the abnormal growth of blood vessels that happens in "wet" macular degeneration. The surgeon focuses a laser beam onto a small spot on the macula where blood vessels are growing. The laser beam heats up that spot, creating a tiny burn in the blood vessels and stopping their growth. Unfortunately, vision does not come back in the areas treated with the laser. It is also very likely that new blood vessels will grow at some time in the future. \n\n-Photodynamic therapy. In this treatment, a special dye is injected into the bloodstream. This dye is actually a type of medication that only becomes active when very strong light, such as a laser, is shined on it. The surgeon activates the medication by focusing a laser onto the abnormal blood vessels that are growing in the macula. The medication works from inside the blood vessels to shrink them. This treatment causes much less damage to the macula, so there is less loss of vision. But the growth of abnormal blood vessels still might happen again in the future. \n\n-Macular surgery. There are two other treatments the surgeon might recommend for severe cases of "wet" macular degeneration. In both of these procedures, the surgeon makes openings into the eye for special instruments. One technique is to remove the tissue where the abnormal blood vessels are growing. Another method is to lift the macula off the area where the blood vessels are growing and place it in a more healthy part of the retina. These procedures often do not fully restore normal vision, however. \n\n\nI certainly hope this helps!  I've included the website.
215689
Yes, I do and the eye Dr told me I have cataracts. He said night blindness is really caused by cataracts. He told me to wait another year to have them removed but my night vision is getting so bad I am almost afraid to drive. I may have it done sooner.
551168
Hi.   I am so sorry to hear about your diagnoses. \n\nFirst, lets talk about the macula.  This is the center of the vision.  When you look at your watch to tell time or read a book or look at details, you are using your macula.  It is a very small part of the retina, but very important for seeing details.   \n\nThere are two types of macular degeneration, dry and wet. The wet type usually comes on suddenly and there are a few treatments out there to slow vision loss.  The dry type is a progressive type and right now we have no treatment for it.  You have to be watched to make sure you do not have a sudden change in the vision so that you do not develop the wet type. You can use mini blinds or anything with straight edges to monitor your vision.  Check each eye every day and make sure that you are not noticing straight lines starting to curve or become distorted.\n\nNext, over the years there has been a ton of research on this condition because it is soooo common and sooooo frustrating.  The newest research says that taking a vitamin with Lutein and Zeaxanthin.  You can buy these over the counter at the pharmacy.  If you take a vitamin anyway you might as well take one with these ingredients in them. Studies are showing that this MAY slow the progression of the disease.  \n\nNow, one other thing, you do not go totally blind with macular degeneration.  People with advanced disease can still see to get around.  I am by no means downplaying the debilitation that this disease causes but the most common fear is blindness and this disease does not leave you completely without sight.  \n\nYou are also VERY nearsighted and this is of concern because of the length of the eye and the tendency to have retinal detachments or lattice degeneration, which is where the retina "stretches" and can cause a tear leading to detachment.  This is probably why they told you to stop with the TKD with the fear that you may get hit in the eye and with your eye being vulnarable already it could be bad.\n\nGood luck to you, I hope this information can help you somehow.
761949
Retinitis Pigmentosa \nOverview \n\nRetinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a rare, hereditary disease that causes the rod photoreceptors in the retina to gradually degenerate.  The rods are located in the periphery of the retina and are responsible for peripheral and night vision.  Cones, another type of photoreceptor, are densely concentrated in the macula.  The cones are responsible for central visual acuity and color vision.   \n\nThe disease may be X-linked (passed from a mother to her son), autosomal recessive (genes required from both parents) or autosomal dominant (gene required from one parent) trait.  Since it is often a sex-linked disease, retinitis pigmentosa affects males more than females. \n\nPeople with RP usually first notice difficulty seeing in dim lighting and gradually lose peripheral vision.  The course of RP varies.  For some, the affect on vision may be mild.  Others experience a progression of the disease that leads to blindness.   \n\nIn many cases, RP is diagnosed during childhood when the symptoms begin to become apparent.  However, depending on the progression of the disease, it may not be detected until later in life.\n \nSigns and Symptoms \n\nDifficulty seeing dim lighting\n\nTendency to trip easily or bump into objects when in poor lighting\n\nGradual loss of peripheral vision\n\nGlare\n\nLoss of contrast sensitivity\n\nEye fatigue (from straining to see)\n\n\nDetection and Diagnosis \n\nRetinitis pigmentosa is usually diagnosed before adulthood.  It is often discovered when the patient complains of difficultly with night vision.  The doctor diagnoses RP by examining the retina with an ophthalmoscope.  The classic sign of RP is clumps of pigment in the peripheral retinal called "bone-spicules."  A test called electroretinography (ERG) may also be ordered to study the eye's response to light stimuli.  The test gives the doctor information about the function of the rods and cones in the retina.  \n\n  \n\nTreatment\n\nThere is currently no standard treatment or therapy for retinitis pigmentosa; however, scientists have isolated several genes responsible for the disease.  Once RP is discovered, patients and their families are encouraged to seek genetic counseling. \n\nCurrent Research  \n\nScientists at Johns Hopkins University are developing a micro-computer chip prosthesis called the Multiple-unit Artificial Retina Chipset (MARC).  Once implanted in the retina, the chip transmits images to the brain that are captured from a small camera mounted on the patient's glasses.  The chip is still in development and is not yet available for widespread use. \n\nDoctors continue to search for treatments for RP but have yet to find a cure.
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there are some over the counter products that help, also taking a multi vitamin,, as dark circles can be due to many things, including lack of certain vitamins,, allergies, make sure when taking off/putting on eye makeup you are gentle, as the sking is fragile in that area, tea bags wet then placed on the under eye area are suppose to help, so are cucumbers, but i didnt notice a difference when i used them
876741
There has been recent research in retinal implants, see:\nhttp://news.com.com/Retinal+implants+may+soon+restore+lost+vision/2100-11390_3-6057581.html\nand\nhttp://www.bostonretinalimplant.org/\nand\nhttp://www.neurotechreports.com/pages/DoEretinal.html\n\nOn April 29, 2006, a Nevada physician performed in a patient with RP, a procedure that might be a first of its kind, namely an Amniotic Stem Cells... see:\nhttp://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?storyid=8154&ret=news.aspx&cat=Business\n\nHope this helps!
55991
Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is a complex disease process in which the cells in the most sensitive part of the retina (the back of the eye) start to die off.  The exact causes of the disease are unknown and there are very few treatment options.
645214
Retinopathy refers to diseases that affect the retina, the collection of light-sensitive cells lining the back half of each eye. The retina contains nerve cells that translate what you see into electrical impulses. These impulses are transmitted to the brain, where they are interpreted.\n\nThe retina contains many blood vessels. Abnormalities in these vessels cause several forms of retinopathy. Retinopathy can cause partial loss of vision or complete blindness. It can develop slowly or occur suddenly. Retinopathy can get better on its own at any time or it can cause permanent damage, depending on what's causing it and how far it has progressed.\n\nSome types of retinopathy (for example, central serous retinopathy) do not have an obvious cause. \n\nCentral serous retinopathy, begins for reasons that are not well understood. In this condition, fluid accumulates in the membrane behind your retina, called the choroid. This fluid seeps in between tissue layers in the retina and causes them to separate, resulting in blurred vision or poor night vision. This condition usually affects males between the ages of 20 and 50, but women also can get this condition. A person who develops this retinopathy is more likely than average to have been exposed to certain treatments or to have had certain medical problems, so these treatments and conditions are suspected to be possible triggers. Suspected triggers includ steroid medicines, pregnancy, antihistamines, antibiotics, alcohol abuse, nasal allergies, asthma, autoimmune problems and untreated high blood pressure. It is not clear whether emotional stress also may trigger this form of retinopathy, although some experts suspect a link.\n\nSymptoms include:\n\n    * Blurred or dim vision, sometimes coming on suddenly\n    * Blind spots\n    * Distorted shapes\n    * Reduced visual sharpness
1111384
Lasik is the way to go. All the other "natural Methods" may improve the sight while you do the exercises but once you quit, it goes back to how it was before. See your local Ophthalmologist.
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I've known only two people with retinitis pigmentosa, and at that time (10 years ago), they did not know of a way to slow the progression of the tunnel vision. I don't know if anything has been discovered since then, however.\n\nGood luck.