Juvenile Macular Dystrophy

Juvenile Macular Dystrophy (JMD) is sometimes referred to as Juvenile Macular Degeneration. It is different from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD occurs as part of natural aging. Normal aging processes can lead to structural and blood flow changes that can predispose patients to AMD.

Juvenile macular degeneration is a rare, genetic condition that affects vision early in life. JMD causes central vision loss and often begins in childhood into young adulthood. 

The most common forms of JMD are:

• Stargardts Disease

• Best's Disease

• Juvenile Retinoschisis 

Unfortunately, there is no treatment. However, there are several treatments under clinical trials to manage these diseases, which may help to slow the progression and preserve vision longer 

Visual aids, adaptive training, and other tools can help with vision loss. 

JMD damages the macula, the tissue in the center of the retina at the back of the eye. This area provides sharp central vision.

 

All forms of JMD cause problems with central vision. Some children do not show signs of having JMD. A healthcare professional may identify an issue during a comprehensive eye exam.

A doctor may use family history to determine a child's risk, as well as special labs, which may be used to conduct genetic testing that can help to identify the exact gene that is linked to the disease.

 

The eye doctor may also proceed with other tests to confirm or rule out JMD diseases, those tests may include:

• OCT

• Fluorescein Angiography

• ERG (Electroretinography)

Source:

• www.aao.org

• www.webmd.com

• www.medicalnewstoday.com

• www.pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.go

Photo Source:

www.irhto.com

www.opticalimages.com

www.aboonline.org

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The Benefit Received from Back-to-School Eye Exams

Imagine trying to learn with blurry vision, eye strain, or headaches. Clear vision is essential for learning, and undiagnosed vision problems can impede a child's education. Many children cannot recognize or express their vision issues because these problems may have always been present or progressed gradually. 

If children can’t see well, they may have difficulty reading, writing and taking part in activities at school, according to the American Optometric Association (AOA).

School-provided vision screenings are tempting due to cost or convenience, but they are limited and can miss up to 75% of children with vision or eye health problems. Even children with 20/20 vision may have undetected eye health issues.

As children progress through their education, they face increasing demands on their visual abilities. The size of print in textbooks gets smaller and the amount of time spent reading increases. To meet these demands, a child should have the vision skills to be an effective learner:

• Visual acuity

• Eye Focusing

• Eye Tracking

• Eye teaming

• Hand-to-eye coordination

• Visual perception

• Recognition

• Comprehension

• Retention

Without a comprehensive eye exam from an Optometrist, many eye and vision disorders go undetected, or worse, a child may be misdiagnosed as having behavior problems, ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning disability. Signs of vision problems that are less obvious to watch for are:

• Difficulty completing tasks.

• Not performing up to their full potential

• Difficulty working alone and following directions.

• Difficulty organizing and prioritizing work and time.

• Heavy reliance on pictures or auditory memorization

• Lack of interest in books or reading

• Disruptive or inattentive in class

Since much of a child's learning is visual, undetected vision problems may cause a child to miss out on a significant part of their education. Without good vision, a child's foundation for future success in school, sports and life in general can be compromised. Due to the lack of public awareness about vision disorders and how they can affect a child’s ability to meet developmental milestones, engage socially, achieve academic success in the future.

Sources:

www.uhc.com

www.visionmonday.com

www.Optometrists.org

www.aoa.org

www.clevelandclinic.org

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Oxygen for the Cornea to Breathe

 

The cornea receives oxygen directly from the air when the eyes are open, rather than relying on blood vessels. This unique adaptation helps maintain clarity for vision. The process involves atmospheric diffusion and aqueous humor, which supplies nutrients to the corneal cells without obstructing light. This makes understanding why contact lenses must be oxygen-permeable and how the eye harmonizes its biological needs with optical precision.

The front part of the eye needs to remain clear and unobstructed to allow light to enter the cornea. Transparency is crucial, as visible blood vessels would hinder the passage of light.

The avascular tissue of the cornea depends on atmospheric diffusion and aqueous humor to nourish its cells without blocking light. This unique adaptation clarifies why oxygen permeability is necessary for contact lenses and illustrates how the eye balances its biological requirements with the need for optical clarity.

When the cornea is deprived of oxygen, it can swell, leading to a condition known as corneal hypoxia. This lack of oxygen can cause corneal clouding, decreased visual acuity, discomfort, and various long-term adverse effects. For best functioning, the front part of the eye must remain transparent to allow light in.

Without adequate oxygen, the cornea will swell, resulting in corneal hypoxia. This deprivation leads to clouding, reduced visual clarity, discomfort, and potential long-term complications.

Other sources of oxygen for the cornea include tears, where nutrients and oxygen dissolve and then diffuse throughout the cornea. Furthermore, when the eye is closed, the lining of the eyelid (the palpebral conjunctiva) provides oxygen to the cornea.

Sources:

www.wtamu.edu

www.shorelinevision.com

www.texaseyesurgeons.com

www.pmc.ncbi.nih.gov

Photo sources:

#PearleVisionRobinson

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Eye Can Quote You

 

1. The heart sees what is invisible to the eyes – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
2. That old “law” “An eye for an eye” leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing. – Martin Luther King, Jr.
3. Why does the eye see a thing more clearly in dreams than the imagination when awake? – Leonardo Da Vinci
4. The health of the eye  seems to demand a horizon. We are never tired, so long as we can see far enough.-Ralph Waldo Emerson
5. Nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose-a point on which the soul may fix it’s intellectual eye. – Mary Shelley 

 

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