YELLOW SPOT DISEASE (MACULAR DEGENERATION) The macula is the center of the retina behind the eye. The nerve layer the macula (yellow spot) which is in the retina that provides 90% of the central vision.

Macula allows us to see clearly and also to perform activities such as reading and driving. Macular degeneration is a very common ocular disease which occurs age-related (usually over 60 years of age).

On the other hand, yellow spot disease is common in people who have hereditary risk and who are smoking. The main risk factors of age-related yellow spot disease are age and hereditary characteristics.

Other risk factors include hypertension, smoking, nutrition, lipid cholesterol, prolonged exposure to sunlight and obesity.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS? When the macula is not working properly, we notice a blur or darkness in the center of our visual field.

If there are blurred words on a page, straight lines appear to be distorted and black or white point in the middle of the center of the sight, it means that you have one of the main symptoms.

Age related macular degeneration shows different symptoms in each patient. Therefore, it may be difficult to diagnose at first glance. The other eye can continue to function normally for many years while the one eye is having vision problem. If both eyes are affected, central vision loss will be more quickly recognized.

Macular degeneration is a very common ocular disease (usually over 60 years of age).

HOW DOES MACULAR DEGENERATION (YELLOW POINT DISEASE) DIAGNOSED? Age-related macular degeneration occurs during routine eye examination. OCT (Optical Coherence Topography) and FFA (Retinal Angiography) are extremely effective in the treatment decision. Macular degeneration (yellow spot disease) is the disease of the macula, which is responsible for the sharp central and being colored vision of the eye. It usually affects two eyes.

TYPES OF YELLOW SPOT DISEASE There are two types of macular degeneration (yellow spot disease).
Dry Type: Retinal layers are formed by accumulation of lipid (oily) material. It progresses more slowly and leads to decreased vision for a long time. In the dry type of yellow spot disease, protective treatment, anti-oxidant A, C, E vitamins lutein and zinc are used. Dry type, yellow spot disease is seen in approximately 90% of cases.
Wet Type: The patient is formed by the progression of the damaged capillaries to the macula. This type can cause sudden loss of vision. It is less common than dry type but; It causes loss of vision by 80%. Especially if the eye has membrane formation in one eye, the other eye is also in danger. The wet type of yellow spot disease is treated by needle treatment and photodynamic therapy into the eye. The method of needle treatment into the eye is made by drop anesthesia. During this application the patient does not feel any pain. Photodynamic therapy is applied by a medication called verteporfin in a special combination firstly, and a low-intensity laser is applied.

YELLOW SPOT DISEASE TEST (AMSLER GRID TEST)

VISION TEST APPLICATION

Wear your reading glasses in sufficient light and hold the above test 20-25 cm in front of you.

Close your one eye.

Look straight at the center point with your open eye.

Check that all lines around the point are whether straight or distorted, blurred, or dark.

Repeat the above procedure with your other eye.

Call your ophalmologist if a part of the test is seen to be wavy, cloudy, or dark.

With regular eye examination, many diseases of vital importance are diagnosed and treated early!