In its early stages, the following signs of macular degeneration can go unnoticed.

• Gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly.
• Shape of objects appears distorted.
• Straight lines look wavy or crooked.
• Loss of clear color vision.
• A dark or empty area in the center of vision.

If you experience any of the above signs or symptoms, contact your doctor of optometry immediately for a comprehensive eye examination. Your optometrist will perform a variety of tests to determine if you have macular degeneration or any other eye health problems.

Central vision that is lost to macular degeneration cannot be restored. However, low-vision devices, such as telescopic and microscopic lenses, can maximize existing vision.

With "dry" macular degeneration, the tissue of the macula gradually becomes thin and stops working properly. There is no cure for dry AMD, and any loss in central vision cannot be restored.

However, researchers and doctors believe there is a link between nutrition and the progression of dry AMD. Making dietary changes and taking nutritional supplements can slow vision loss. Less common, "wet" macular degeneration occurs when fluids leak from newly formed blood vessels under the macula. This leakage blurs central vision. Vision loss can be rapid and severe.

If detected early, wet AMD can be treated with laser treatment, which is often called photocoagulation. A highly focused beam of light seals the leaking blood vessels that are damaging the macula. Or in photodynamic therapy (PDT), a medication is injected into the bloodstream, which is then activated by shining a laser into the eye. Medication can also be injected into the back of the eye to slow the growth of leaky blood vessels. None of these are permanent cures, but they can help minimize vision loss.

Researchers have linked eye-friendly nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc to reducing the risk of certain eye diseases, including macular degeneration. For more information on the importance of good nutrition and eye health, please see the diet and nutrition section.

The most important factor that may significantly increase the risk of AMD is the age. Studies have revealed the fact that people over the age 60 are at a higher risk of AMD than the middle age people; where the risk associated is less than 2%. Additionally, some other factors are as well responsible for increasing the chances of developing the disease such as:

• Gender: – It has been observed that more women are prone to the difficulty than men.
• Genes: – Some genes have identified which have a linkage with the expression of the disease.
• Smoking: – Smoking greatly increases the risk of developing AMD.
• Sunlight: – Some studies have evidently suggested that the continuous exposure to UV radiation may increase the risk of AMD.
• What you eat: – Number of studies has collectively suggested that the diet as well play an important role in developing AMD.

If you experience any of the above signs or symptoms, contact your doctor of optometry immediately for a comprehensive eye examination. Your optometrist will perform a variety of tests to determine if you have macular degeneration or any other eye health problems.

Central vision that is lost to macular degeneration cannot be restored. However, low-vision devices, such as telescopic and microscopic lenses, can maximize existing vision.

Symptoms of the Age related Macular Degeneration may vary from person to person without any visual differences. The early signs of Macular Degeneration are the distortion of straight lines which may lead to gradual or central vision loss. The person may face the problem reading small print without usual reading glasses.

• Difficulty reading small print even with your reading glasses.
• Straight lines are distorted or wavy.
• Unclear vision.
• Dry or blurry areas or white outs appearing in the centre of the vision.
• Very rarely diminished or changed colour perception.

The AMD is mainly concern with abnormal functioning of MACULA of the eye. The macula is a light sensitive tissue of the retina, centrally placed, behind the eye. The main function of the retina is to convert light or an image into electrical impulses which are sent to the brain through the channelling of the optic nerves.

• Wet AMD: – This is a kind of advanced AMD, when there is abnormal growth of blood vessels under the macula. These new vessels are observed to be very fragile, leaking the blood and fluid in the surrounding region. Due to this leakage, macula tends to move upwards from its normal position at the back of the eye. Thus in the wet form of the AMD, there is rapid, progressive vision loss leading to blindness.
• Dry AMD : – It is the most common type of atrophic AMD, affecting more than 90% of the people. In this form of AMD, the thinning of the retinal layer, made up of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells is mainly observed. The said cells are known to be supporting the light sensitive cells of the eye, the rods and the cones, which are mainly responsible for the vision. Due to progressive loss of RPE cells, the photoreceptors cells are also damaged leading to vision loss.

We have mastered the technology for isolating maximum number of viable stem cells from either the autologous sources of your own body or allogeneically with the matched donor to treat various forms of AMD.
We are the licensed, private organization with the excellent, well equipped state of the art facility to isolate, process and enrich the viable number of stem cells, which can be re infused back into the patient’s body. Generally, these cells are administered through any one of the below mentioned methods depending upon our expert’s advice:

• Retrobulbar Administration:-Through this mode, cell are infused directly in the retina of the eye.
• Intravenous Administration:- Through this mode, cells are infused through the veins along with the mannitol to expand blood volumes in the central nervous system, to ensure that the maximum number of cells are reaching to the targeted area.