Juvenile Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a disorder that affects an estimated 12 million Americans. While it is more common in adults, infants and children also succumb to this devastating disorder. This is called juvenile macular degeneration or JMD. If you would like to know more about this disorder, please let this be your guide on juvenile macular degeneration.
First, you need to understand what macular degeneration is. Macular degeneration is a term for several different disorders that all leads to the same end result... macular degeneration. This is when the macula (light sensing cells in the central region of the retina) malfunctions and dies off. This leads to the gradual decline and loss of central vision. However, peripheral vision remains intact.
There are several different kinds of juvenile macular degeneration. Some are: Stargardt's disease, Best's vitelliform macular dystrophy, Doyne's honeycomb retinal dystrophy, Sorsby's fundus dystrophy, Malattia levintinese, Fundus flavimaculatus, Autosomal dominant hemorrhagic, and macular dystrophy.
The most common form of juvenile macular degeneration is Stargardt's disease. Stargardts's disease usually begins during childhood or teen years. The beginning onslaught of symptoms include: a decline in visual acuity, drusen spots on the macula, and scarring of the macula. It then moves to the symptoms of juvenile macular degeneration, which will be discussed further on. It is known that Stargardt's disease is inherited (or passed on genetically).
There are many symptoms of juvenile macular degeneration. These are: straight lines looked distorted, blurring and dim colors in central vision, or a dark or empty area in center of vision. Older children and juveniles are able to tell adults when they notice a change or problem with their vision. Unfortunately, infants, toddlers, and small children cannot do this. It is very important that a juvenile's parent or guardian take them to an eye doctor regularly. If a juvenile complains of a change or problem with their vision, you must take them to the eye doctor immediately. If you suspect a problem, take them as well as a precaution.
There is no known cure for juvenile macular degeneration. The causes of juvenile macular degeneration are not known either. However, research has been done that links it to mutated genes. It has been found that this mutated gene is inherited and passed on between family members. There is no way to prevent the gene from being passed on as of yet. Juvenile macular degeneration can affect anyone, regardless of age, sex, race, location.
This was some very important information you should know about juvenile macular degeneration. It is important that you understand this disorder, especially if you suffer from it or if you know a loved one who does. While there is no known cure, rest assured knowing that there are people working on finding one as we speak.
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