Eye Health
Macular degeneration
What is macular degeneration?
We see things because of a thin layer of light-sensitive nerve cells at the back of the eye called the retina. The macula is the area of the retina that receives the light from what you're directly looking at - the very centre of your vision. It has a very high density of cells, which is why vision is sharpest straight ahead. In most people the macular area does its work unnoticed, but there are a number of situations in which the macula doesn't function properly- the most common of which is called Age-related Macular Degeneration (also called ARMD, MD, or sometimes incorrectly ‘macula').
ARMD is the most common cause of vision loss in the developed world. Over a five year period, 500,000 Australians will develop early signs of ARMD, and 40,000 will have their vision significantly affected by ARMD. Most of those will be in the older age-groups, but ARMD can also affect people under 50.
How does it affect vision?
In ARMD, the central ‘directly-where-you-are-looking' vision is affected. Often the peripheral ‘out-of-the-corner-of-your-eye' vision is still good, so many people with ARMD can still see well enough to move around. Its just when they come to do fine detail work - like reading, watching TV, craftwork, or even recognising faces - that they struggle.
Early symptoms maybe just having more trouble with fine detail work, a ‘smudge' or patch or distortion in the centre of the vision. This may progress to either a larger area of distorted vision, a greyed out patch, or sometimes a black patch in the centre of the vision. Often the early symptoms will be only in one eye, and so may go unnoticed. ARMD may progress either slowly or rapidly. Not everyone with ARMD progresses to severe vision loss.
Visual effects of ARMD simulation
How can Sharpe and Fowler help?
Having a regular eye exam, especially over age 50, but more important the older you are, is recommended to check for early signs of ARMD. Those who have family members with ARMD should take extra care to make sure regular exams take place. At Sharpe and Fowler, as part of your appointment, we examine the back of the eye, and take photographs of the back of the eye (‘retinal photographs') to allow us keep an accurate record and to monitor changes over time.
If early changes are detected, we can give advice on how to reduce the risk of the ARMD getting worse. Genetic predisposition and increasing age obviously can't be changed, but going smoke-free, reducing UV exposure, and some simple dietary changes can be used to reduce the chances of the ARMD getting worse.
Until recently, there was little that could be done to treat the condition. In the last few years some new treatments have emerged that can help some forms of macular degeneration, and we're able to arrange a referral to specialist ophthalmologists if treatment is likely to be of help.
Once treatment is underway, or if treatment is unlikely to help, we are able to help people with ARMD use the level of vision they have. Some are helped by special spectacles for reading, others by magnifying devices, and advice on how to make the best of lighting. We're also able to explain how ARMD affects vision to sufferers, and their families too, because understanding this condition really helps in providing the best support and care.
ARMD support and help
Eye Health Facts
Seeing in the dark
Vision in the dark continues to improve for about 30 minutes after being in bright light, as our eyes switch over from the colour-rich, crisp vision of daylight to the less crisp but more sensitive vision of night.
Once the eyes are adapted to dark, their most sensitive area is off to one side of 'straight ahead', making it possible to sense something out of the corner of your eye that disappears when you look straight at it.
Retinal degenerations, a genetic condition called retinitis pigmentosa, and Vitamin A deficiency can all reduce night vision.