SOME CAUSES OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

Macular Degeneration
Reproduced courtesy of The Macular Degeneration Foundation

Juvenile MD

Juvenile macular degeneration is a type of central vision deterioration that occurs in the young. Macular degeneration refers to an abnormality of that part of the eye that is responsible for our sharpest central vision: the macula, or central region of the retina, which enables us to read and to distinguish colors. The peripheral region of the retina enables us to distinguish light and dark, but not fine details.

While macular degeneration is primarily seen in older persons, it may occur in infants and children, thus the term "juvenile macular degeneration". The primary symptom of juvenile macular degeneration is reduced visual acuity.

What Are The Types And Causes Of
Macular Degeneration?

There are three general types of hereditary macular degeneration.

1. Early onset - birth to age seven

This type is dominantly inherited which means that both parents and their children can be affected (often called Best disease or vitelliform macular degeneration).

2. Middle onset - age five to twenty

This type is often called Stargardt's disease, juvenile macular dystrophy or fundus flavimaculatus. It is usually recessively inherited, which means that it can appear when few or no other family members have been affected. Rarely, this condition can be dominantly inherited .

3. Late onset age thirties and forties

This type may have either a dominant or recessive mode of inheritance (often called Behr's, Sorsby's, Doyne's or honeycomb dystrophy).

 

How Is Juvenile Macular Degeneration
Diagnosed and Treated?

A comprehensive medical eye examination by an ophthalmologist is the first step in diagnosing juvenile macular degeneration. Special tests such as fluorescein angiography and electroretinography may be necessary for an accurate diagnosis.

It is reassuring to remember that the peripheral retina (side vision) most often functions normally. Therefore, patients with juvenile macular degeneration do not suffer from total blindness. Many children with juvenile macular degeneration function very well, performing routine school tasks with only a minimum of help.

Glasses and low vision aids have been helpful in improving vision for patients with juvenile macular degeneration. Laser surgery is usually not effective in treating this condition.

Recently in certain individuals with juvenile macular degeneration have experienced enhanced visual acuity after a course of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or MCS. The MDF is currently structuring a controlled clinical trial to evaluate whether this effect is statistically significant or not.

The macular degeneration foundation has commenced a fund-raising drive to raise the necessary money to support a research project to develop the improved technology for gene delivery. Gene therapy enables one to deliver active proteins to the defective macular tissues. This technology offers the greatest promise for a cure for these debilitating visual diseases.

 

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