Macular dystrophy is a rare genetic disorder of the eye that causes vision loss. The condition affects the retina and causes damage to the cells in the macula.
What Are the Symptoms of Macular Dystrophy?
In the early stages of the disease, your vision will be mildly blurry. It can also cause a slight distortion in vision. Many people who are in the early stages assume that they have a refractive error that would require glasses or contacts, so they schedule an appointment with their eye doctor. As the disease progresses, the macular becomes more damaged. This would make it difficult to see straight ahead. Activities such as reading and driving can become difficult. In the later stages, any activity that requires fine, central vision can become difficult.
What Are the Types of Macular Dystrophy?
There are two main types of macular dystrophy. The first is called Best disease, and it occurs in children. The type of vision loss that this type varies from child to child.
The second type occurs during mid-adulthood. This type causes the vision to become progressively worse.
Who Is At Risk?
Children who develop Best disease usually has a parent who has the condition. A parent with the gene can pass it down to their child.
It is less clear how adult-onset macular dystrophy occurs. Some adults have a parent who has the disease as well; however, there are some people with the condition who don't have any family members with the disease.
How Is the Condition Treated?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition. There is also no treatment methods to slow the progression of the disease. Over time, vision loss will occur. Doctors today are working on treatments with the use of stem cells; however, an FDA approved treatment could take years.
Contact VAL-Uvision Today!
It is important that you schedule an appointment every year with VAL-Uvision in Jacksonville. Our optometrist will perform a complete eye exam to ensure your eye health. If our optometrist finds that you may have a disease or condition of the eye, the necessary steps can be taken. The sooner most diseases are caught, the longer you will retain your vision. To be sure that your eyes are healthy and that you are seeing correctly, you should make an appointment with one of our doctors of optometry.