Macular Dystrophy vs. Macular Degeneration.wmv

This week the TV commentator Glenn Beck was diagnosed with a potentially blinding eye condition described as Macular Dystrophy. Another eye condition, Macular Degeneration, is the most common blinding eye condition in the US in people over the age of 65. This video explains the difference between the two conditions. In our opinion, Mr. Beck was likely diagnosed with what is called "Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy" described in video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnSWi3in_60

Courtesy of the doctors of Shady Grove Eye and Vision Care; Optometrists and Ophthalmologists serving the Rockville, Potomac and Gaithersburg Maryland suburbs of Washington DC. Connect with us on twitter @EyeInfo or visit our website http://www.youreyesite.com (301) 670-1212

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Education

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• macular dystrophy
• macular degeneration
• glenn beck
• eyeinfo
• youreyesite
• optometrist
• ophthalmologist
• rockville
• potomac
• gaithersburg
• maryland
• vitelliform
• macular
• dystrophy
• glenn beck blind

[levybh]

This video isn't entirely accurate. Macular corneal dystrophy is a disorder that effects the cornea. However,  Vitelliform macular dystrophy is a disorder that effects the retina. I think that Glenn Beck was diagnosed with vitelliform macular dystrophy, so the problem is in his retina, not his cornea.

[theglaziers4]

@levybh This video was produced before there was enough information to discern what "macular dystrophy" he was referring to. I agree that he was probably diagnosed with vitelliform, based on age , sudden onset and poor prognosis, but we really don't know because no one has said. The video is accurate in terms of what it describes, but he may not be suffering from corneal macular dystrophy, but vitelliform macular dystrophy

[vanitybox4me]

People should get their eyes checked every year. If there is possibility of any issues, u hav to keep healthy lifestyle, loadup on antioxidants ( I think Maxivision is one of the best ones on the market for AMD), and make sure to catch it early.

[changeisnowpeople]

just realized... our wonderful bodies want to keep in best condition... i did use to see early sunsets when i was a kid... and the eyes want less light entering when exposed with bright light. .. could that be the reason?? please reply asap...

[changeisnowpeople]

or should i get new eyes from any Donner... I have my full life and carrier.. please help... should i get my eye transplant?? should i? please reply asap...

[changeisnowpeople]

I am 18. FROM INDIA. docs say that there is no cure... the problem is people starying at me when i read from sooooo close!!! please help... i have not disclosed about my eyes to anyone. not even college... in class when teacher writes on board i copy from friends book. ... i am not going to use telescope. please find a cure...

[EyeInfoChannel]

I am sorry to learn of your AMD - I am an eye doctor. You understand that one cannot see with "perfectly sharp" vision in their periphery as you claim. What you perceive as sharp is relative to your scotoma. All you have to do is view an eye chart with your periphery and tell me what line you can read. I understand what you mean, and this may not be the best picture in the world to demonstrate it. As macular degeneration worsens, the periphery gets blurrier

[cantleysugar]

@EyeInfoChannel I am talking about the image which is shown at one minute, labeled "Effects of Macular Degeneration". The whole image is fuzzy, and this is highly misleading. As I said before, Macular Degeneration only affects central vision. I happen to be an expert in this area because I have the condition myself. My peripheral vision is perfectly sharp, but my central vision is fuzzy, dim and distorted.

[EyeInfoChannel]

@cantleysugar @cantleysugar The picture DOES show distorted central vision -what picture are you looking at, and the phrase "macular" in the english language does NOT mean, necessarily, the macula of the retina - the definition of "macula" is "an anatomical structure having the form of a spot differentiated from surrounding tissue" - it can refer to any part of the body and in the eye can refer to the cornea, lens OR retina.

[EyeInfoChannel]

@cantleysugar The picture DOES show distorted central vision -what picture are you looking at, and the phrase "macular" in the english language does NOT mean, necessarily, the macula of the retina - the definition of "macula" is "an anatomical structure having the form of a spot differentiated from surrounding tissue" - it can refer to any part of the body and in the eye can refer to the cornea, lens OR retina.

[cantleysugar]

@theglaziers4 The clue, surely, is in the word "macular", which refers to the macula, part of the retina at the back of the eye. There is no connection between the macula and the cornea.

By the way, your illustration of the effect of macular degeneration is wildly inaccurate. Macular degeneration only affects central vision.