Lens Treatment for Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is caused by deterioration of the tissue in the eye that is responsible for central vision. It is seen most often in older adults. Very recognizable vision changes are the main symptoms.

Causes

• Aging is the most common cause of macular degeneration. The disease often begins in one eye but eventually affects both eyes.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of macular degeneration include difficulty adjusting to low light, blurry vision, difficulty discerning faces, reduced ability to see intensity of colors, and a blurry or blind spot in the center of the eye.

Novel Implant

• The Lipshitz Macular Implant, developed in Israel, uses two tiny mirrors to magnify images for patients with macular degeneration. According to the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the results of a pilot study on this implant were promising.

Glasses

• Specially made eyeglasses are available for macular degeneration patients. Individual factors, causes, and symptoms are all taken into consideration when the lenses are made and fitted for the patient.

Contact Lenses

• Proclear Compatibles (manufactured by Cooper Vision) and Extreme H2O contact lenses improve vision and stay comfortable throughout the day for most patients. These plastic lenses have a high water content that allows them to retain moisture all day long.

Implants

• A 2009 study by Waterford Today showed that implanted lenses improved vision in macular degeneration sufferers. Blue-light-filtering lenses block damaging light to the retina and appear to be a big step in the treatment for this disease.