Juvenile Macular
Degeneration
Lauran Maestas
Meghan Raney
Cressie Wright

Three major forms of Juvenile Macular
Degeneration



Best’s Disease
Juvenile Retinoschisis
Stargardt Disease
All are rare and cause central vision loss
Stargardt Disease




First report in 1901
German Ophthalmologist
Karl Stargardt
1997 genetic component discovered


Recessive gene
Both parents must have
Stargardt Gene
Normal
 Gene produces
protein
 Protein produces
energy
 Energy sent to the
photoreceptor cells
Stargardt
 No protein produced
 Without protein no energy
 No energy photoreceptor
cells in retina degenerates
Effects of gene defect

Fatty yellow pigment (Lipofusion)





Build up under cells in macula
Rods and Cones are affected
Atrophy in the macula
Loss of central vision
Blindness
Symptoms

Visual Acuity
 20/40
20/200
 Central Vision Loss
 Vision Acuity
 Blurry Vision
 Distorted Vision
Symptoms





Dark Areas
Color Perceptions
Central Scotoma
(Blind Spot in
Central Vision)
Night Blindness
Photophobia
(Abnormal tolerance
for light)
Treatments


No Cure
Current research:



UV Protective glasses may slow the progression
Limit intake of vitamin A
Stem cells in adult body fat
References

Stargardt Disease. (n.d.). American Macular Degeneration Foundation |. Retrieved July 11, 2014, from
https://www.macular.org/stargardt-disease

Stargardt macular degeneration. (2014, July 7). Genetics Home Reference. Retrieved July 11, 2014, from
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/stargardt-macular-degeneration

Kinkade, D. R. (2012, November 6). Low Vision Eyeglasses LowVisionEyeglasses.com: Guide to Macular Degeneration:
Short Answers to Complex Questions. Low Vision Eyeglasses LowVisionEyeglasses.com: Guide to Macular Degeneration:
Short Answers to Complex Questions. Retrieved July 11, 2014, from
http://lowvisioneyeglasses.blogspot.com/2012/11/guide-to-macular-degeneration-short.html

Stargardt Disease. (2014, November 7). . Retrieved July 11, 2014, from http://www.retina-international.org/eyeconditions/retinal-degenerative-conditions/stargardt

Grossman, M. (2013, August 28). Stem Cells Discovered in Fat May Treat Macular Disgeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa,
Stargardt's. Eye conditions, eye care & diseases, treatment solutions. Retrieved July 11, 2014, from
http://www.naturaleyecare.com/blog/stem-cells-fat/

Grossman, M. (n.d.). Stargardt's Disease. Eye Care. Retrieved July 11, 2014, from http://www.naturaleyecare.com/eyeconditions/stargardts/
Age-Related Macular
Degeneration
(AMD)
Lauran Maestas
Meghan Raney
Cressie Wright
What is Age-Related Macular
Degeneration (AMD)?

AMD is a condition that causes central vision loss
AMD is the leading
cause of vision loss for
people over the age of 60

Two Forms of AMD

Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration



More common
Develops slowly
Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration


More severe
Develops quickly
Causes of AMD?

•
•
•
•
Causes are unknown but possible risk factors
include:
Smoking
Obesity
Poor Diet
Exposure to UV
light
•
•
•
•
•
High Cholesterol
Hypertension
Hereditary
Race
Gender
Symptoms of AMD



Blurriness
Wavy Lines
Blind Spot
http://www.preservision.com/en/what-is-amd/visionsimulator/
Dry AMD



Usually affects both eyes
Light Sensitive cells in the macula begin to
breakdown and die
Presents of Drusen

yellow spots under the retina
Photograph
of a healthy
eye
Photograph
of an eye
with dry
AMD
Wet AMD



Abnormal blood vessel growth
Blood and fluid leak under the macula
Leads to scarring
Photograph
of a healthy
eye
Photograph
of an eye
with wet
AMD
Treatments
Dry AMD
Wet AMD

No cure or treatments


Vitamins


Some studies show
specific combinations
of vitamins can slow the
progression and impact
No cure
Treatments



Injections into the eye
Photodynamic Therapy
Laser Therapy
Tools to Detect Progression of AMD


The Amsler Grid is a simple test to detect
early signs of AMD
Demonstration of Reduced Visual Acuity
http://www.lucentis.com/get-support
Case Study: Ernest Smith







Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Advanced Wet AMD in OS
Caused by oxidative stress
Used optical coherence tomography test
Treatment available: Thermal Laser Therapy
Daily monitor: Amsler Grid
Had to have treatment again
References
About wet AMD. (n.d.). What is Wet AMD. Retrieved July 15, 2014, from
http://www.lucentis.com/information/wet-age-related-macular-degeneration
Boyd, K. (2013, September 1). What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?. - Eye M.D.-approved
information from EyeSmart. Retrieved July 15, 2014, from
http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration/index.cfm
Wet macular degeneration. (n.d.). Definition. Retrieved July 15, 2014, from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wet-macular-degeneration/basics/definition/con20043518
What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?. (n.d.). Bausch + Lomb. Retrieved July 15, 2014,
from http://www.preservision.com/en/what-is-amd/what-is-amd/
WHAT IS AMD?. (n.d.). What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?. Retrieved July 15, 2014, from
http://www.amdawareness.org/asrs/what-is-amd