The main causes of blindness in developed countries are associated with numerous retinal pathologies. Dr. Alvarez Garcia explains how macular degeneration affects the elderly. The retina is the part of the eye that receives light impulses, which are then transformed into electrical signals and subsequently transferred to the brain. The macula, despite being a very small area on the retina, is the point of maximum vision and is responsible for fine discrimination of objects, which enables such important activities as reading and writing.
The main risk factor for the macula is retinal aging. Genetic factors, poor diet, smoking, certain toxic substances and ultraviolet radiation are also very important.
Early detection is important, as it is a painless disease that results in an irreversible central visual field lesion that can affect multiple daily activities such as reading, writing, face recognition, driving, etc. In addition, the prevention of this type of disease in the elderly population has a direct impact on the quality of life of society. Therefore, it is important to have a good eye examination.
When should I have my eyesight checked?
As it is an age-related disease, eye examinations should be performed from the age of 40 onwards, especially if there is a family history of the disease or if you are a smoker. One of the first symptoms is to notice that straight lines are wavy or deformed, such as door frames, lampposts, etc. It can also produce the sensation of having a blurred spot in the center of vision and change the perception of colors.
Techniques for diagnosing macular degeneration
If detected late, the lesion in the retina can be a significant and irreversible problem. Currently, the diagnostic techniques that make it possible to assess this pathology are:
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT), allows to obtain high resolution images through micrometric cross-sections. It is a non-invasive test that requires transparent ocular media. This allows diagnosis and monitoring of the pathology thanks to the images of the retina that are obtained each time the patient comes to the office.
- Fluorescein angiography is an invasive technique that allows the study of blood vessels. It is performed by an intravenous injection of fluorescein and subsequent fundus photography and assesses the blood flow in the retina, making it possible to see leaks or damage to the vessels. Indocyanine green dye works in the same way, but it allows reaching deeper layers of the retina.
- Angio-OCT is a noninvasive imaging system that provides detailed visualization of the retinal and choroidal vasculature. The main advantage of Angio-OCT over fluorescein angiography (FFA) is that it provides high-resolution functional information of both the retina and choroid without the need for intravenous dye injection. This promises to revolutionize imaging technology for retinal diagnosis, reducing the need for invasive testing.
New diagnostic tests and methods to explore the retina are gaining importance in the prevention and early diagnosis of disabling pathologies, especially among the elderly. The aim of these methods is the precision in the observation of the retina in order to be able to detect the disease early and then monitor retinal alterations and their response to treatment. Therefore, it is important to perform annual examinations in order to prevent or detect age-related pathologies, such as macular degeneration, a disabling condition that seriously affects the quality of life of an increasing number of people.