Monique is 77 years old. I met her when she got here to the attention clinic on the University of Montreal, where I'm a professor. A retired teacher, Monique has led an lively and full life along with her students and family and considers herself fortunate to be in good health.
However, she is anxious a couple of recent visual impairment that forestalls her from reading and having fun with her painting workshops. It also prevents her from driving safely, which is crucial if she is to keep up her independence.
An intensive examination of Monique's vision and eye health soon revealed her problems: she has developed cataracts and her retina shows early signs of macular degeneration.
Cataracts are a standard phenomenon, which occurs consequently of the aging technique of the attention and affects everyone without exception. They are when The lens of the eye gradually loses its transparency.Like a window that gets dirty with the seasons.
Light entering the attention passes through opaque areas and produces blurred vision, without the potential for improvement with glasses, lenses or magnifiers. Only surgery can restore the integrity of the attention.
Aging of the crystalline lens
The crystalline lens is special and has a really delicate metabolism. When disturbed, the lens aggregates and loses its transparency. The lens also absorbs a big portion of the sun's ultraviolet rays to guard the retina behind the attention.
The amount of UV absorbed accumulates through the years, contributing to premature aging of the lens. This is the explanation why it is suggested to guard yourself with sunglasses from an early age.
Other aspects that interfere with its function include using certain medications corresponding to oral cortisone, the presence of diseases corresponding to diabetes or head trauma, which might contribute to the onset and progression of cataracts. Very rarely, cataracts are transmitted, especially while pregnant The following infections corresponding to rubella, toxoplasmosis and herpes.
Finally, very strong links are established between the 2 Smoking and cataracts. the mealOn the opposite hand, there appears to be no effect. Quitting smoking and protecting your eyes with good sunglasses are subsequently considered effective ways to delay the onset and progression of cataracts.
Implants for rescue
Cataract treatment could be very easy. An ophthalmologist will perform surgery to interchange the attention's natural lens with a brand new lens, called an implant. This surgery could be very protected and will be performed at any time during cataract development, although surgery will often only be offered if there may be a major impact on the patient's vision and quality of life.
Implants are everlasting and stay clear for all times with no need to get replaced. They will be used to correct distance vision, including astigmatism, which might be achieved through using a specially designed toric implant. In addition, nearsightedness will be corrected with bifocal or multifocal implants, thus avoiding the necessity for glasses afterward. In most cases.
However, the patient could also be subject to seeing halos and will be more sensitive to light. It can be vital to be certain that that the retina is in good health, otherwise the top result won't be excellent.
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This is very the case for Monique, who also has the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is a condition that affects one percent of individuals over the age of 40, but whose Prevalence reaches 30% by age 80.
At-risk populations are Caucasian (of European origin) and more female than male. Systemic diseases — anything that affects the blood vessels, corresponding to diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and obesity — are vital risk aspects, as are Oxidative causes such as smoking, a diet high in saturated fat and UV exposure.
Prevent macular degeneration.
Basically, the very best retinal cells, which permit good vision (macular area), degenerate over time if not well nourished by the vascular network and Accumulate deposits that prevent their normal function..
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These appear as deposits Small yellow spots On the fundus – the a part of the eyeball that's in front of the pupil. These deposits, often called drusen, can grow to be confluent. As the cells degenerate, their color changes (pigment reworking), a phenomenon that can be seen when examining the retina. This known as dry macular degeneration. Vision is kind of affected depending on the variety of cells affected.
Over time, the systemic response can result in the formation of latest blood vessels to provide the dying cells. They are fragile and don't have any real place to live. They can easily explode. Their membrane formation, because the roots invade the pipe, and their effusion (bleeding) cause very severe lack of vision. This is once we talk. Wet degradation. This more severe form affects about 10 percent of AMD cases, but anyone with the dry form can progress to this stage.
Dietary supplements
Treatments for AMD are limited and are geared toward limiting the progression of the disease. They cannot cure it. Smoking cessation, good nutrition, regular exercise and following doctor's recommendations for controlling vascular diseases corresponding to diabetes and hypertension can delay the progression of the dry type of AMD.
Wearing sunglasses also helps, even on cloudy days. to take Omega 3 Eating the appropriate foods and taking fish oil extracts can assist. More recent results has called this strategy into query.
In the more advanced stages of the dry form, Taking oral nutritional supplements Vitamins and antioxidants are really helpful, except in some patients a Specific genetic profile.
The wet form has recently been effectively treated by injecting drugs directly into the attention, to forestall the formation of latest blood vessels. These injections needs to be repeated periodically and vision needs to be restored when the procedure is finished. The right time.
Monique's case is mixed. On the one hand, it is feasible to greatly improve his short-term vision with cataract surgery, for which he might be referred to an ophthalmologist. Implants protect against UV rays, one other consider stopping the progression of macular degeneration. This will allow him to drive safely and resume his activities. She will even monitor her food regimen, which she admits is lacking, and take omega supplements. His AMD is at a stage too early for vitamins or antioxidants.
Monique doesn't smoke and shouldn't be taking medication for vascular problems. If she does in the future, she is going to follow her doctor's recommendations and begin a lightweight exercise program. Walking will be enough. Finally, they might be performed every six months in an optometry office Home screening test And will attend for consultation as soon because the change is noted.
Monique was convinced! She will find a way to be lively and independent to enjoy the great times of life.
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