What is macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration is an eye disease in which vision continues to deteriorate. The fact that people with macular degeneration see increasingly worse and are able to distinguish fewer details is because the light-sensitive cells on their retina slowly die. Most of these cells, the 'cones', are located in the central part of the retina, the macula lutea. Ultimately, the central part of the visual field disappears completely: a 'gray spot' is created (which can have all shades of gray and can even be black).

Symptoms of macular degeneration

Macular degeneration is often accompanied by the following complaints:

• Less sharp vision
• Seeing a blurry, dark spot
• The perception of contrasts decreases
• Blurred perception of colors
• Seeing straight lines as crooked

What causes macular degeneration?

• Heredity
• Smoking: People who smoke a pack of cigarettes a day are five times more likely to develop macular degeneration than people who do not. The antioxidants in the eye are broken down by smoking.
• Age: macular degeneration mainly occurs in people over 50 years of age.
• Gender: women are more likely to develop macular degeneration than men.
• Low level macular pigment
• Unhealthy food
• Overweight
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes

Treatment of macular degeneration

Macular degeneration cannot be cured. Nowadays there are preventive tools. Oogwereld can measure the macula pigment in a unique way with a Macuscope (special eye equipment) and this allows us to see whether someone has an increased risk of macular degeneration. Fortunately, there is a nutritional supplement that helps maintain vision. We will be happy to inform you about this in the store.

We are ready for you

Do you suffer from complaints that are consistent with macular degeneration? Contact one of the stores near you.

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