Understanding Macular Degeneration Anatomy and Function of the Eye Anatomy of the Eye ● Key structures ○ ○ ○ ○ Cornea - outermost layer ■ Contribution on focus Lens - clear, flexible structure ■ Focus objects Retina - light sensitive layer ■ Light → Electric signal Macula - Center of retina ■ Central vision Detailed Anatomy of the Macula ● Component ○ ○ Fovea ■ Center of macula with highest concentration of photoreceptor cell ■ Sharp central vision + Details Photoreceptor Cell ■ Rods and Cones ■ Light detection + conversion to neural signals Vascular supply to the Macula ● Choroid ○ ● Layer of blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the retina and macula Bruchʼs Membrane ○ Barrier between the choroid and retina Normal Function of the Macula ● Central Vision ○ ● Reading,driving, recognizing faces Color Vision ○ ○ High density of cones in the fovea Detailed color perception Macular Degeneration Overview ● Types ○ ○ ● Dry(atrophic—Gradual loss of central vision Wet(neovascular)- Sudden loss of central vision Anatomical significance ○ ○ Dry - Thinning of the macula Wet - Abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula Anatomical Comparison Dursen Dursen Dursen (Yellow deposit) Treatment ● Dry macular degeneration ○ ● AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) supplements Wet macular degeneration ○ ○ ○ anti-VEGF injections Laser eye surgery Photodynamic Therapy Reference 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Anatomy of the Eye. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/anatomy. Accessed July 15, 2024. National Eye Institute (NEI). Macular Degeneration. Available at: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/macular-degeneration. Accessed July 15, 2024. Mayo Clinic. Macular Degeneration. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/macular-degeneration/symptoms-causes/syc-20351973. Accessed July 15, 2024. WebMD. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/macular-degeneration/age-related-macular-degeneration-overview. Accessed July 15, 2024. Johns Hopkins Medicine. The Anatomy of the Eye. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/anatomy-of-the-eye. Accessed July 15, 2024. Retina Foundation of the Southwest. What is Macular Degeneration? Available at: https://retinafoundation.org/eye-conditions/macular-degeneration/. Accessed July 15, 2024.