Yellow Spot Disease

Yellow Spot Disease is a common eye disease that affects a significant part of the elderly population and can lead to vision loss. This disease can adversely affect the quality of life by severely affecting the eyesight, especially among the elderly. In this article we have written for you, we will try to give information about what Yellow Spot Disease is, how it develops and why it occurs.

What Is Yellow Spot Disease?

Yellow Spot Disease, medically known as “Age-Related Macular Degeneration” (AMD), is a disease that occurs as a result of damage over time to the macula, located at the back of the eye and responsible for central vision. The macula is the most sensitive area of the eye where detailed and color vision takes place. This disease is more common especially in people aged 50 and over and can cause serious vision loss in the future.

How Does Yellow Spot Disease Develop?

Yellow Spot Disease usually develops with age and has two types; Dry type and wet type. Dry type AMD is the most common and mild form of the disease. In this type, the cells in the macula become thinner over time and waste materials accumulate, resulting in reduced vision quality. Wet AMD, although less common, causes vision loss more rapidly. In this type, the blood vessels under the macula grow abnormally and leak, damaging the macula.

What Causes Yellow Spot Disease?

Although the exact cause of Yellow Spot Disease is not yet fully known, certain factors may contribute to the development of the disease. These factors include age, genetic predisposition, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and nutritional deficiencies. In addition, exposure to sunlight and the use of certain medications may also play a role in the development of the disease. In particular, advancing age is the most important factor that significantly increases the risk of Yellow Spot Disease. Therefore, the incidence of the disease increases with the increase in the elderly population.

What Are The Symptoms of Yellow Spot Disease?

Symptoms of the disease can be listed as follows;

Individuals with Yellow Spot Disease experience blurring and decreased clarity, especially in central vision. This causes difficulties in daily activities such as reading, face recognition, and driving.

As the disease progresses, dark or empty areas occur in the field of vision. This causes difficulty in seeing the surroundings and the inability to perceive the objects completely.

Perception of straight lines as curved or wavy is a common symptom in people with Yellow Spot Disease.

Due to the disease, the ability to distinguish colors decreases and colors become pale.

Yellow Spot Disease leads to decreased visual acuity, especially at close and far distances.

The disease can cause the eye to become more sensitive to light and be uncomfortable with bright lights.

Who is at Risk for Yellow Spot Disease?

Although Yellow Spot Disease is usually seen in individuals aged 50 and over, some factors may increase the risk of developing the disease. The groups at risk can be listed as follows;

• The most important risk factor for the disease is aging. The risk of Yellow Spot Disease increases in individuals aged 50 and over.

• The risk of the disease is higher in individuals with a family history of Yellow Spot Disease.

• Women are more prone to Yellow Spot Disease than men.

• Smoking brings many risks in terms of eye health and increases the risk of Yellow Spot Disease.

• Obesity causes an increase in inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, leading to negative effects on eye health and increasing the risk of disease.

• In individuals with cardiovascular diseases, the risk of Yellow Spot Disease increases as a result of the eye vessels being affected.

• Diets with low antioxidant content and low consumption of vegetables and fruits pose a risk to eye health and increase the likelihood of the disease.

In order to reduce the risk of Yellow Spot Disease, changes in lifestyle and diet, regular eye examinations and some nutritional supplements that can be taken with doctor’s advice play an important role.

How is Yellow Spot Disease Diagnosed?

Early diagnosis and treatment can help preserve vision by slowing the progression of the disease. The diagnosis of macular degeneration can be made by the following methods:

The first step in diagnosing the disease is a comprehensive eye examination by an ophthalmologist. The doctor examines the outside and inside of the eye to evaluate if there are any problems in the yellow spot area.

Performing the Amsler Grid Test. This test is used to detect early signs of macular degeneration. The Amsler grid is a square made up of straight lines and a dot in the centre. The patient is asked to look with both eyes separately and check whether the lines are straight and whether there is any distortion in the center. If the lines are distorted or there is a dark area in the center, this may be a sign of macular degeneration.

OCT is an imaging method used to examine three-dimensional sections of the retinal layer of the eye. With this method, the presence and degree of the disease can be determined by evaluating the structure and thickness of the cells in the yellow spot region.

Application of Fluorescent Angiography. This test is used to examine the blood vessels of the eye. After the patient is injected with a special substance that dyes the vessels, photographs of the retina of the eye are taken. In this way, the vascular structure and leaks in the yellow spot area can be examined and the disease can be diagnosed.

What Is Done In The Treatment Of Yellow Spot Disease?

Treatment of macular degeneration varies depending on the type and extent of the disease. Although there is no treatment method that completely cures the disease at the moment, the progression of the disease can be slowed down and the eyesight can be preserved with the treatments applied. The methods used in the treatment of yellow spot disease are as follows;

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) blocking drugs help prevent abnormal growth and leakage of vessels in the macular area. These drugs are administered by injection into the eye and may need to be repeated at regular intervals.

Laser therapy is a method to reduce leaks and slow vision loss by destroying abnormal vessels in the yellow spot area. However, laser therapy can be used in advanced stages and certain types of the disease.

Some vitamins and minerals are thought to be effective in slowing the progression of macular degeneration. Supplements containing vitamins A, C and E, and minerals of zinc and copper can be used with the advice of a doctor.

Smoking cessation, a healthy diet, and regular exercise can contribute to slowing the progression of macular degeneration. It is also important to protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays by using sunglasses.

Early diagnosis and regular eye control are of great importance for the diagnosis and treatment of macular degeneration. It is necessary to comply with the treatment methods recommended by the doctor in order to slow down the progression of the disease and protect the eyesight.

Yellow Spot Disease Treatment Prices in Turkey

Turkey has succeeded in making its name known to the world with its investments and Especially the latest technological devices used in diagnosis and treatment procedures have been a beacon of hope for many diseases. However, there has been an increase in health tourism in Türkiye.

• Hospitals are large, clean, spacious and fully equipped in terms of technological equipment.
• Turkish doctors are specialized, successful, and skilled in their fields.
• Nurses and carers are friendly and compassionate.
• Finding answers to the questions asked quickly and accurately.
• Patience and understanding of all staff, including the intermediary company dealing with the patient.
• Turkey offers holiday opportunities with its natural and historical beauties.
• Easy transportation.
• Diagnosis, treatment, accommodation, eating, drinking, dressing, and holiday needs can be met at affordable prices.

Such situations are shown among the reasons for preference. We can see that patients and relatives of patients who want to come to Turkey are doing research on Yellow Dot Disease Treatment Prices in Turkey. However, it would not be correct to give clear price information at this stage. Many factors such as the type of disease, stage, diagnosis process, treatment process, and stay in Türkiye affect the price issue. If you want to get more detailed price information, you can contact us. In addition, if you come to Turkey for treatment through us, we can facilitate your visa application process with the invitation letter sent by us to the consulate.