Yellow Spot Disease

Yellow Spot Disease (Macular Degeneration)

WHAT IS YELLOW SPOT DISEASE?

Yellow spot disease, also known as Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), is a disease that affects people over the age of 50. It occurs in 1.7% of people over the age of 50, in 10% of people between ages of 65-75 and in 18% of people over the age of 85.

This disease is caused by deterioration of the macula (yellow spot), where vision is sharpest. There is a structure called Bruch’s membrane in the macula. A substance called drusen (which has a high fat content and consists of waste materials) accumulates in this membrane. This drusen causes irregular and dysfunctional yellow spot and causes visual impairment. If the deterioration progresses further, new vessels form under the yellow spot. These new vessels cause fluid leakage and fluid accumulation under the yellow spot. In more advanced cases, subretinal hemorrhage occurs under the yellow spot.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF YELLOW SPOT DISEASE?

Dry Type (Atrophic): It is the most common type. It progresses slowly and is characterized by drusen and geographic atrophy

Wet Type (Exudative): It is rarer compared to dry type. It progresses rapidly and causes very low vision

Sometimes the disease starts as dry type and later turns into wet type

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF YELLOW SPOT DISEASE?

• Blurred vision is the most important complaint. Especially the central region is more blurred
• Reading difficulty
• Difficulty in recognizing people
• Decrease in color perception
• Considerably decreased vision in the dark
• Seeing straight lines broken

HOW IS YELLOW SPOT DISEASE DIAGNOSED?

Decreased vision over the age of 65 should make us think of yellow spot disease. The disease is diagnosed with a good examination and a series of tests.

• Biomicroscope(slit lamp) examination of the retina can directly reveal yellow spot defects

• Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA) can visualize drusen and leakage areas

• Indocyanine Green Angiography: It is especially used to see hidden new vascular formations in the veins

• OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) is used to look for irregularities in the yellow spot

• With cards called Amsler Grid, the course of the disease is monitored by looking at whether the broken lines are increase or not.

WHO IS MORE PRONE TO YELLOW SPOT DISEASE?

Gender: It is more common in women than in men. This is thought to be due to the hormonal protection (estrogen). It is thought that the decrease in estrogen hormone in women after menopause may cause the disease.

Race: It is more common in caucasians than in blacks.

Age: It is more common in people over the age of 65.

Genetic factors: This disease is more common in people with a family history of yellow spot disease.

Obesity: Obesity is an important factor in the onset and progression of the disease.

Cholesterol: It is more common in people with high cholesterol. Therefore, drugs that lower blood cholesterol prevent the progression of the disease.

Exposure to sunlight: UV rays from the sun are harmful to the yellow spot of the eye. It can initiate deterioration or cause the deterioration to progress.

Eye impairment: People with hyperopia are more likely to have macular degeneration.

High blood pressure: High blood pressure can increase the risk of yellow spot disease. High pressure in the blood vessels can affect blood flow in the eye.

Smoking: Harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke disrupt the natural balance in the macula (yellow spot) and cause the disease. Smoking creates free radicals in the blood, causing the onset and progression of the disease.

HOW IS YELLOW SPOT DISEASE TREATED?

Yellow spot disease (macular degeneration) is an eye condition that usually affects people over the age of 60 and affects central vision. Treatment methods differ according to the type of the disease.

Wet Type Macular Degeneration:

• Anti-VEGF Drugs: These drugs are injected into the eye to prevent the growth and leakage of abnormal blood vessels. Drugs such as ranibizumab (Lucentis), aflibercept (Eylea) and bevacizumab (Avastin) are included in this group.

• Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): This treatment involves injecting a drug called verteporfin into a vein and then activating it with a laser in the eye. This process destroys the abnormal blood vessels.

Dry Type Macular Degeneration:

• Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: Supplements containing high doses of antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene), zinc and copper have been shown to slow the progression of dry macular degeneration

• Diet and Lifestyle Changes: Lifestyle changes such as consumption of foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, lutein and zeaxanthin, not smoking and regular exercise also help to slow the progression of the disease.

Surgical treatment is usually not indicated in yellow spot disease.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO PREVENT YELLOW SPOT DISEASE?

Since yellow spot disease is a disease with a genetic predisposition, those with a family history of this disease should have frequent eye examinations. Early diagnosis is important in terms of stopping and slowing down the progression of the disease.

Following a natural diet, especially foods such as greens, carrots and fish, will be beneficial.

Smoking is an important factor in the onset and progression of the disease.

Sunglasses prevent yellow spot disease as they filter harmful UV rays.

Supplementary medications can be used with the advice of a doctor when necessary.

The content of our website has been created for informational purposes.  It does not constitute a diagnosis or treatment recommendation. An ophthalmologist should be consulted for definitive diagnosis and treatment.