Senile (age-related) macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in old age. It is related to the aging of the retina in general. It is a disease that progresses with decreased vision as a result of undesirable accumulations especially in the macula (central area) region of the retina, due to the inability of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which acts as a transporter in the retina.

Who Gets Yellow Spot Disease?

Most of the patients are over 50-60 years old. The male/female ratio is approximately equal. The disease is more common in patients with progressive vascular disease, chronic metabolic diseases, cigarette-alcohol consumption, sedentary life, malnutrition, and at the same time its progression is rapid. Yellow spot disease has started to be seen relatively more, as the average life expectancy has increased both in the world and in our country. Therefore, studies on this disease are increasing day by day.

What are the Types of Yellow Spot Disease?

There are 2 types of yellow spot disease. These are dry and wet type SMD. 90% of the cases are dry type and 10% are wet type SMD. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the dry type disease. The vision lost by the patients cannot be restored with treatment. Treatment is possible in most of the wet-type diseases. Lost vision can be regained to a certain extent, current vision can be preserved. However, over time, it may turn from wet to dry. For this reason, it is beneficial to keep the patients under constant surveillance, even if they are dry type.

Is There a Treatment for Yellow Spot Disease?

Very good results can be obtained with anti-VEGEF drugs applied intraocularly in wet yellow spot patients. If necessary, intraocular steroids applied for antiedema are also useful. In addition, oral vitamin-oil complex drugs are claimed to slow down the disease. It is important for patients to give weight to vegetables and fruits in their diet, to have an antioxidant-containing diet, and to increase daily movements (physical exercise).

Image-1: Eye control

Smoking should be stopped absolutely. Especially in patients who have had cataract surgery, it is recommended to use sunglasses during the day if they have yellow spot diseases at the same time. However, the fact that the aging process continues despite all the precautions taken is effective in the progression of the disease.

What Should Yellow Spot Patients Do?

Yellow spot patients should take their own precautions, and at the same time, they should not disrupt their retinal controls. Patient-physician compatibility is the most important issue. The patient should take into account and apply the recommendations of his doctor. As much as possible, they should be under the same doctor's control.
Don't lose to the years. Increase your awareness. Do not delay your checks.