Stargardt disease is an inherited disorder caused by mutations to the ABCA4 gene and manifests with central vision becoming blurry or distorted, without impacting peripheral vision.

Eye doctors can detect this genetic disorder through an eye exam by noting elongated white, branching flecks in the retina caused by lipofuscin – a fatty substance that obscures fluorescein from entering the camera lens – that blocks its view.

1. Diet

Stargardt disease is an inherited condition characterized by central vision loss with minimal peripheral (side) vision impairment. The condition’s hallmark feature is an accumulation of lipofuscin – waste from photoreceptor cells – on retinal cells and surrounding cells, due to mutations in ABCA4 genes which produce proteins unable to remove lipofuscin from its accumulation.

Scientists are conducting studies aimed at slowing the progress of this condition by preventing lipofuscin accumulation. While promising, these trials don’t offer a cure; therefore IALVS eye doctors offer low vision aids that make the most out of what vision remains; reading, driving and participating in other activities become easier thanks to low vision aids recommended by them as well as performing comprehensive examinations to assess your remaining vision and recommend devices which match best with it.

2. Exercise

Stargardt macular dystrophy (also referred to as juvenile macular degeneration) results from progressive retinal damage or degeneration, creating sharp, straight-ahead vision we all take for granted. The retina is light-sensitive tissue located at the back of your eye that produces this effect.

People living with Stargardt disease typically notice a loss of central vision and gray or black flecks appearing in their visual field. Furthermore, it takes their eyes longer than usual to adjust from dim light conditions back into sunlight.

Though Stargardt disease cannot be cured, our IALVS team can assist in optimizing what vision remains by providing low-vision aids that maximize what remains. We conduct regular follow-up exams to make sure your vision continues to improve and can adjust or adapt low-vision aids as necessary, providing you with support so you can continue enjoying activities you love and maintain quality of life.

3. Sleep

Stargardt disease is an inherited condition that leads to blurred and distorted central vision, typically beginning during childhood but also seen later in adulthood. The condition typically first manifests itself during school age but symptoms can begin at any time; they include difficulty reading, seeing colors accurately, adapting between bright and dim environments and difficulty adapting between bright light environments and dark surroundings. Peripheral (side) vision remains unaffected; currently no cure exists but low vision aids exist that may help people manage this condition more fully – Aaron Maybin from Green River was recently participating in an experimental therapy which may improve his visual acuity further than expected.

4. Stress management

Stargardt disease affects the center of retina, known as macula. This area is responsible for sharp central vision and color perception; therefore those suffering from Stargardt may notice blurriness or distortion in their central vision which includes dark areas; color may become difficult to see or it takes longer for eyes to adjust from bright light back into dim lighting conditions than expected.

Researchers are investigating gildeuretinol as a possible medication to slow progression of this condition. It works by inhibiting activity of the gene that produces protein necessary for clearing excess fatty material from retina.

Energetic Health provides an intensive Stargardt Protocol consisting of 10 acupuncture treatments within one week time frame. This protocol covers diet, supplements, medications, household toxins, emotional stress levels and dental history as well as more.

5. Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for good vision. It’s abundantly available in foods such as leafy green vegetables and orange-hued fruits, where it’s also referred to as retinal and retinoic acid; converted from beta-carotene carotenoid pigment.

Stargardt disease is a genetic disorder that attacks the central part of the retina known as the macula and leads to decreased visual acuity. People suffering from Stargardt may notice blurry, distorted or darkened spots appearing in their central vision.

Researchers have developed an effective solution to stop vitamin A from clumping into toxic deposits in the eyes of people living with Stargardt disease, potentially helping slow its progression. Gildeuretinol, currently being evaluated in clinical trials by the FDA as either orphan drug or breakthrough therapy status; its effectiveness in slowing atrophic lesions growth will also be evaluated in this TEASE-1 study.

6. Vitamin C

Stargardt’s disease is a progressive macular degeneration that leads to central vision loss. The condition typically appears in young adults and is caused by mutations of the ABCA4 gene; normally this gene facilitates transport of used form of vitamin A from retinal photoreceptors out of the retina and back out through photoreceptors; when its normal functionality is disrupted due to mutation, lipofuscin build-up in the retina may occur leading to central vision loss.

Condition characterized by yellowish-tinged spots that form at the center of the macula and may vary in size, shape and color. While no cure exists for this inherited disease, low-vision glasses may help improve quality of life for patients affected.

Studies indicate that diet may slow the progression of Stargardt’s disease; specifically eating more green vegetables and wearing sunglasses with 100% UV protection. Genetic treatments are being evaluated as potential remedies for this and similar eye diseases.

7. Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) are vitally important components of human cell membranes, where they’re converted into eicosanoids with numerous health advantages, including resolvins and protectins as metabolites.

Studies have revealed that increasing consumption of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) could significantly halt or reverse vision loss associated with age-related macular degeneration and Stargardt disease. Lecithin, a DHA metabolite, seems to inhibit lipofuscin pigment accumulation within Stargardt patients’ retinal pigment epithelium cells.

Alkeus Pharmaceuticals’ drug gildeuretinol was shown in a two-year, placebo-controlled trial to significantly slow down Stargardt disease’s progression, receiving FDA approval in 2024. It works by targeting ABCA4 protein which is deficient in people living with Stargardt disease and allows excess vitamin A dimerization which leads to build-up of lipofuscin pigments.

8. Vitamin E

Stargardt disease is a macular dystrophy inherited from both parents, in which fatty deposits accumulate in the central part of your retina’s macula, known as Stargardt’s Macula. Most commonly it affects children and young adults and its symptoms include black spots in your center vision as well as diminished central field of view.

It is widely believed that abnormalities in the ABCA4 gene may be at the core of this condition, leading to toxic accumulations of vitamin A dimers within RPE cells over time.

Researchers have recently made the exciting discovery that an enhanced form of vitamin A called Gildeuretinol can prevent this degradation and slow disease progression, thus earning orphan drug and breakthrough therapy status from the US Food and Drug Administration.

9. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin, essential to bone formation and mineralization, that increases calcium and phosphate absorption from food intake, while also aiding the eyes by maintaining normal blood pressure levels and retinal structure. Therefore, regular visits to an optician as well as wearing sunglasses with UV protection when in bright sunlight is highly recommended.

Stargardt disease is a genetic condition causing progressive central vision loss in children and young adults, caused by variations in ABCA4. Abnormal proteins produced by this gene cause an accumulation of pigment called lipofuscin to build up, leading to chronic inflammation and premature ageing of the retina. Alkeus Pharmaceuticals have created Gildeuretinol (a form of Vitamin A enhanced with deuterium), to prevent such toxic accumulation of lipofuscin accumulation – currently under Phase 2 clinical trials for Stargardt Macular Dystrophy.

10. Omega-6 fatty acids

Stargardt macular dystrophy shares many features with other retinal degenerative disorders, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). All three conditions cause central vision loss in patients; Stargardt macular dystrophy specifically can damage photoreceptors in the retina causing progressive blindness by early adulthood or later.

Omega-6 fats cannot be produced naturally by the human body and must therefore come from our diets. Linoleic acid, one of the shortest omega-6 fatty acids, can be converted to longer ones like arachidonic acid (AA).

Modern Western diets contain far too many omega-6s compared to omega-3s due to an abundance of processed food products, which may contribute to inflammation that leads to fat accumulation and may increase eye disease risk. An oral medication called Gildeuretinol is currently under development to slow macular degeneration progression and decrease vitamin A dimerization in retina.