Can you quickly self-diagnose whether you have macular degeneration with just one picture? Doctor: It’s true!

Have you heard of yellow spots?

In fact, the macula is not a "spot". Each of us has a macula in our eyes.

If the human eye is compared to a sophisticated camera, then the retina is the film responsible for imaging, and the macula is located in the center of the retina, which is the focus of the film. It determines whether one can see light, color and shape, and is a very sensitive area.

What is macular degeneration?

Yan Jing, chief physician of the Department of Fundus Diseases at the Aier Eye Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University, introduced that macular degeneration is a common blinding disease in ophthalmology and is a general term for a group of diseases that cause pathological changes in the macula of the retina. Common ones include age-related macular degeneration, macular degeneration caused by high myopia, macular degeneration caused by genetic factors, macular holes, and epiretinal membranes. Fundus macular degeneration poses a great risk to patients and can cause serious damage to vision and visual field. Fundus macular degeneration is a "blinding killer" that seriously endangers human vision health.

What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?

If abnormalities occur in the macula (such as edema, hemorrhage, holes, etc.), it will affect imaging, often resulting in symptoms such as decreased central vision, dark shadows in front of the eyes, dark spots, or distorted vision.

What should I do if I have macular degeneration?

For the treatment of macular diseases, in addition to conventional hormones, retinal photocoagulation, anti-VEGF drug therapy and surgery, micro-pulse laser therapy can also be performed to reduce macular edema caused by various reasons and improve visual quality.

How to quickly test yourself to see if you have macular degeneration?

All in one picture!

Amsler grid

① Place the grid at a distance of 30 cm from the horizon, and the light should be clear and even;

② If you have presbyopia or myopia, you need to wear your original glasses for testing;

③ Cover one eye with your hand and stare at the central black dot on the grid with the test eye;

④ Repeat steps 1 to 3 to check the other eye.

Special reminder:

The Amsler grid is only an auxiliary examination method and cannot be used as a basis for diagnosing a disease.

The Amsler grid is a convenient method for screening fundus lesions. It can detect the discomfort symptoms found by patients using a table. It is recommended that middle-aged and elderly people, patients with diabetic retinopathy, and those with high myopia use the Amsler grid for self-testing regularly. If lines are blurred, disappeared, twisted, grids are deformed, or the size is abnormal, you should seek medical attention in time.

Director Yan Jing reminds that in addition to regular eye examinations, doing the following in daily life is also helpful in preventing macular degeneration.

01Avoid light damage

Studies have found that strong light (such as sunlight, welding light, etc.) and excessive ultraviolet and blue light can easily damage the macula. Therefore, in daily life, regardless of winter or summer, you should wear sunglasses or a hat, or hold an umbrella to prevent your eyes from being exposed to the sun for a long time, reduce the time spent using electronic products, and take breaks.

02Prevention and treatment of "three highs"

Hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia may induce retinal vascular abnormalities and macular cystoid edema. Therefore, it is necessary to develop good living habits, control weight by adjusting diet and exercising moderately, and actively control blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipids. People who already have "three highs" should follow the doctor's advice to treat the underlying disease and regularly monitor various indicators.

03Control myopia

High myopia (myopia degree ≥ 600 degrees) is more likely to have a series of complications such as cataracts, high intraocular pressure, retinal detachment, macular degeneration, etc. Therefore, patients with high myopia not only need to test and match glasses with appropriate degrees, but also use their eyes scientifically, control the progression of myopia, and undergo eye health examinations 1 to 2 times a year.

04 Nutritional supplement

In your daily diet, eat more foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, zinc, lutein, and anthocyanins, such as lemon, kiwi, blueberry, broccoli, carrot, eggplant, purple cabbage, fish, etc., which can help prevent oxidative damage to the retina.