Recognizing Early Signs of Macular Degeneration
Recognizing early signs of macular degeneration can be vision saving.
There are several important symptoms that are important to know about.
These symptoms include: 1) Reduction of visual clarity When the macula is compromised, we lose the sharpness of clarity that we are accustomed to seeing.
A normal macular enables us to see our clearest.
But if this important part of the retina is damaged in any way our vision drops in a proportionate manner.
2) Distortion of Vision The macula is extremely sensitive and delicate.
Damage to the macula can result in wavy vision because of stretching of the nerve cells within the macula.
Just like a folded picture, folds or creasing of the macula will cause a corresponding defect in our vision.
3) Impaired Depth perception We need both eyes working together to provide normal depth perception.
If vision is compromised because of macular problems, our ability to gauge depth may also become impaired.
Fine motor activities such as threading a needle or judging distance when driving a car may be impaired by reduced depth perception.
4) Blind Spots Small areas in the central (straight ahead) portion of our vision become faded.
Eventually, they may develop into a blind spot.
These blind spots are known as scotomas.
Words or images of regard that focus on the blind spot suddenly disappear from view.
This change in our vision can become distressing and debilitating.
5) Night vision remains unaffected Individuals with macular problems may not experience as much a dropoff of vision at night as during the day.
This is because we rely more on the part of the retina outside of the macula for nighttime vision.
6) Light sensitivity Excessive sensitivity to light is known as photophobia.
Individuals with macular problems are often more sensitive to light than other people.
Wearing sunglasses or a hat with a wide brim can be very helpful in minimizing light sensitivity.
7) Changes when light condition changes Individuals with macular degeneration are very sensitive to changes of lighting.
Sunlight tends to stress the macula so that it becomes difficult to see properly when shifting from a bright environment to a dark environment.
A dark afterimage may become that lasts a long time may exist in individuals with macular degeneration.
8) Phantom vision Visual hallucinations without an apparent cause may be due to macular vision.
Although incompletely understood, it is a common phenomenon among individuals with macular degeneration.
Some experts believe that changes in the macula stimulates cells in the retina that in turn stimulates the visual cortex.
This phenomenon is also known as the Charles Bonnet Syndrome.
9) Decreased color vision The macula is responsible for our color perception.
Damage to the macula from degeneration, swelling, scar tissue, or by virtually any process will compromise color perception.
Color perception becomes increasingly difficult as macular problems progresses.
10) Eccentric Viewing When the central part of our vision is impaired, we begin to rely on our side vision to be able to see.
As a result, individuals with macular degeneration may turn their head slightly away to be able to see something of concern.
This is known as eccentric fixation.
Recognizing early signs of macular degeneration is important.
Symptoms of diseases affecting the macula are many and varied.
Knowledge of these symptoms will help you identify early signs of macular degeneration and obtain timely treatment.
There are several important symptoms that are important to know about.
These symptoms include: 1) Reduction of visual clarity When the macula is compromised, we lose the sharpness of clarity that we are accustomed to seeing.
A normal macular enables us to see our clearest.
But if this important part of the retina is damaged in any way our vision drops in a proportionate manner.
2) Distortion of Vision The macula is extremely sensitive and delicate.
Damage to the macula can result in wavy vision because of stretching of the nerve cells within the macula.
Just like a folded picture, folds or creasing of the macula will cause a corresponding defect in our vision.
3) Impaired Depth perception We need both eyes working together to provide normal depth perception.
If vision is compromised because of macular problems, our ability to gauge depth may also become impaired.
Fine motor activities such as threading a needle or judging distance when driving a car may be impaired by reduced depth perception.
4) Blind Spots Small areas in the central (straight ahead) portion of our vision become faded.
Eventually, they may develop into a blind spot.
These blind spots are known as scotomas.
Words or images of regard that focus on the blind spot suddenly disappear from view.
This change in our vision can become distressing and debilitating.
5) Night vision remains unaffected Individuals with macular problems may not experience as much a dropoff of vision at night as during the day.
This is because we rely more on the part of the retina outside of the macula for nighttime vision.
6) Light sensitivity Excessive sensitivity to light is known as photophobia.
Individuals with macular problems are often more sensitive to light than other people.
Wearing sunglasses or a hat with a wide brim can be very helpful in minimizing light sensitivity.
7) Changes when light condition changes Individuals with macular degeneration are very sensitive to changes of lighting.
Sunlight tends to stress the macula so that it becomes difficult to see properly when shifting from a bright environment to a dark environment.
A dark afterimage may become that lasts a long time may exist in individuals with macular degeneration.
8) Phantom vision Visual hallucinations without an apparent cause may be due to macular vision.
Although incompletely understood, it is a common phenomenon among individuals with macular degeneration.
Some experts believe that changes in the macula stimulates cells in the retina that in turn stimulates the visual cortex.
This phenomenon is also known as the Charles Bonnet Syndrome.
9) Decreased color vision The macula is responsible for our color perception.
Damage to the macula from degeneration, swelling, scar tissue, or by virtually any process will compromise color perception.
Color perception becomes increasingly difficult as macular problems progresses.
10) Eccentric Viewing When the central part of our vision is impaired, we begin to rely on our side vision to be able to see.
As a result, individuals with macular degeneration may turn their head slightly away to be able to see something of concern.
This is known as eccentric fixation.
Recognizing early signs of macular degeneration is important.
Symptoms of diseases affecting the macula are many and varied.
Knowledge of these symptoms will help you identify early signs of macular degeneration and obtain timely treatment.
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