Age-related macular degeneration (yellow spot) is currently the most common cause of blindness in people over 50 years old in our country and the world. The most important risk factors for the development of age-related macular degeneration are advanced age and genetic predisposition. While it is incidence is 2 - 5 percent at the age of 50, this rate increases to 30 percent at the age of 75 and over.

What Are the Symptoms of Macular Degeneration?

The first complaint of the patients is loss of vision, decreased central vision, irregularity of vision, and distorted vision.

How to Diagnose Macular Degeneration?

There are two different types of disease, dry and wet. Although the wet type constitutes a small part of the cases, it causes vision loss more frequently.

The treatment of this disease is carried out in the Department of Macular Diseases and Surgery in our Hospital, where up-to-date technology and techniques are used. Patients are given the Amsler Card Test to be used in the early diagnosis and follow-up of age-related macular degeneration patients. Patients are supposed to look at the center of the test paper by keeping this test paper at a reading distance (30-35 cm) and closing each eye one by one. Patients who observe changes such as bending of the lines and formation of black spots should consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

This content was prepared by Yeditepe University Hospitals Medical Editorial Board.

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