Stargardt disease is an inherited form of macular degeneration that results in loss of central vision, distortions to straight lines and poor color vision.

Disease occurs when fatty material builds up in the macula, an area necessary for sharp, clear vision. It usually appears during childhood; however, symptoms may not manifest themselves until adulthood.

1. Sunglasses with UV Protection

Sunglasses that provide UV protection are an integral component of treating Stargardt eye disease. UV radiation from sunlight can damage retinas and accelerate disease progression; so sunglasses with this protection are strongly advised for all those living with Stargardt disease.

When choosing sunglasses, be sure that their label displays 100% UV blocking protection. Furthermore, clear lenses provide better UV blocking compared to dark lenses which may feel more comfortable; additionally price does not always correlate to level of UV protection offered; even an inexpensive drugstore pair marked “UV-absorbing” could offer more UV absorption than more costly designer pairs; frame size also plays a factor with larger frames providing greater coverage while wraparound shades provide maximum UV coverage.

Echothiophate iodide medication may provide another avenue of treatment, acting to reduce breakdown of retinal pigment epithelium and slowing loss of central vision. This low dose treatment option can be taken orally and provides faster relief.

In the STARLIGHT trial, this medication was administered to six patients with Stargardt disease. Their average mean BCVA improvement was 5 ETDRS letters; and associated with decreased autofluorescence on fundus photos.

Stargardt patients may develop new blood vessels that leak and bleed similar to wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). For these cases, injectable anti-VEGF drugs can help stop new vessels forming while also slowing disease progression.

Case report details this medication being prescribed to a 36-year-old female with severe Stargardt disease. She had an initial visual acuity of 20/400 in her right eye and count fingers (CF) in her left. Furthermore, her retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) was thick with dense areas of hypoautofluorescence on fundus photography. With treatment from echothiophate iodide she experienced significant improvements in visual acuity throughout the course of treatment as well as subsequent follow up visits.

2. Manage Your Diet

Diet is an integral component of overall health, but particularly beneficial for people living with Stargardt disease. Consuming foods rich in leafy green vegetables, fruits and fish can help protect vision loss by keeping retina healthy; additionally, foods containing antioxidants like zinc lutein zeaxanthin may slow progression of disease progression.

Regular eye examinations with an ophthalmologist who specializes in retinal diseases such as Stargardt disease should also be scheduled, to enable diagnosis and the creation of an effective treatment plan.

Genetic counseling can also be invaluable to those with Stargardt disease. Genetic counselors can help explain how this condition has been passed on through generations and the risks it poses for your own children.

Maintaining independence for those with Stargardt disease is paramount, so managing everyday living activities effectively is of utmost importance. Low-vision aids such as magnifying glasses, telescopes and special software designed for computers and smartphones may assist you with this endeavor. Freedom Scientific provides a range of electronic magnifiers that can be used for reading mail, books and printed materials such as photographs or TV screens or computer monitors. Use of one of these devices can help you engage in hobbies, socialize with family and friends, manage daily routines and stay independent at home without needing an assisted living facility – which may prove cost-effective in the long run.

3. Low-Vision Aids

Stargardt disease is an inherited disorder resulting in the degeneration of the macula – the central portion of the retina responsible for central vision and recognizing colors – typically before age 20. Due to this degenerative process, cone receptor cells of the macula become damaged gradually leading to loss in central and color vision; peripheral vision remains undamaged while this causes an overall gradual decline in central and color vision.

Stargardt disease in children can typically be identified through a visual exam conducted by an ophthalmologist. He or she will typically check for fatty buildup under the macula and ineffective cones that could indicate this condition, in addition to performing fundus photography and possibly fluorescein angiography in order to confirm it.

Once an ophthalmologist has confirmed Stargardt disease, they can suggest low-vision aids for use by children suffering from it. Low-vision devices may help improve central and color vision which are often the first areas affected by Stargardt. Examples include special eyeglasses such as bifocals or trifocals with reduced blind spots to allow clearer reading as well as prism-based glasses which reduce blind spots allowing clearer reading experience for young readers. Children tend to accept these low-vision devices more readily than adults do and typically succeed more when using them successfully than adults when using low-vision devices as adults are.

Echothiophate Iodide (EtOH), is another medication prescribed by an ophthalmologist that may help increase endogenous acetylcholine production for eye health. Acetylcholine is produced at retinal synapses and receptors and its level regulated by an enzyme known as Acetylcholinesterase; inhibition of this enzyme allows more acetylcholine to reach receptors and synapses which in turn increase endogenous production of the chemical by producing endogenous production at these places. Echothiophate Iodide inhibits this enzyme allowing production at these points of increase which ultimately allows more endogenous production at receptors/synapses/receptors.

Children diagnosed with Stargardt disease should be taught the importance of using their low-vision devices on a regular basis and monitored closely for any decrease in visual acuity or their ability to use these devices. If their condition requires assistance with daily tasks such as reading, writing or driving – a low-vision specialist may offer alternative techniques for performing these activities as well as training on using guide dogs or mobility aids as needed.

4. Physical Exercise

Stargardt disease is a genetic retinal condition, usually starting in childhood or adolescence and leading to loss of central vision, leading to difficulty reading faces, recognising objects, driving safely, dimly lit environments after going outside on bright days, driving safely at night time as well as difficulty adapting dimly lit spaces after going outdoors on bright days – eventually even leading to total blindness.

Stargardt’s is caused by genetic mutations that lead to lipofuscin deposits that accumulate in the macula and gradually destroy light-sensitive cells responsible for central vision. Although degeneration occurs gradually over time, its progression increases over time.

Though there is no cure for AMD, you can take steps to protect your vision as it worsens. Consult with your physician regarding UV protective sunglasses and supplements with Vitamin A in order to reduce new blood vessel formation which could bleed and leak – something wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) sufferers often experience.

Research on Stargardt disease has focused on understanding how the gene controlling ABCA4 functions. This gene provides instructions for producing the protein responsible for transporting energy from and to your retina’s photoreceptors. Scientists are conducting various experimental and clinical studies designed to reduce lipofuscin accumulation, decrease complement system activation and foster retinal cell regeneration.

These studies are promising, yet still early in their development. One such study involved three patients with predominantly Stargardt disease who experienced clinically meaningful improvements of over 10 ETDRS letters in mean BCVA and 30 ETDRS letters using a wearable magnifier.

Another experimental approach involves the use of cholinergic medications. Cholinergic agents, such as carnosine or echothiophate iodide, can enhance visual function by helping the cells of your eye use oxygen more efficiently, including carnosine as well as echothiophate iodide which has long been used to treat conditions such as glaucoma and strabismus. A recent case study demonstrated that echothiophate iodide significantly improved both BCVA and color vision for one individual living with Stargardt’s disease over 15 years of follow up indicating its efficacy at prolonging quality of life in those living with Stargardt’s disease.