Stargardt disease is caused by genetic mutation, leading to accumulation of lipofuscin – a waste product known as lipofuscin that builds up over time in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), leading to progressive degeneration and vision loss.

Your doctor may recommend UV protective sunglasses and limit vitamin A consumption as part of a plan to slow the progression of macular degeneration, while performing fluorescein angiography to check for leaky blood vessels in your macula.

Get Regular Eye Exams

If you suffer from Stargardt eye disease or have family history of it, getting regular eye exams can be one of the best ways to slow the progress. Eye doctors can detect changes in your vision and prescribe glasses or contacts if necessary; additionally they can monitor other aspects of health like high cholesterol or diabetes that could compromise eye health and monitor how these issues may impact it.

Eye exams can help identify health issues such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and early warning signs of stroke. Furthermore, regular exams with your current prescription in hand are key in order to detect macular degeneration, glaucoma or cataracts. As such, it is vitally important that you visit an eye doctor on a regular basis – always bring along any contact lenses or glasses you currently wear!

Stargardt disease is an hereditary form of macular degeneration that most often appears during childhood. This condition occurs when fatty deposits build up on the macula – the part of the retina (light processing tissue lining your eye) responsible for sharp, detailed vision and color perception. When you have Stargardt disease, however, fatty accumulation causes cone photoreceptor cells in your macula to block off, leading to central vision loss gradually over time; often people with this disease do not notice this process until well past early childhood years.

At an eye exam, your eye doctor will use a Snellen chart and other tests to ascertain your vision strength. They’ll check how well you read letters on a Snellen chart as well as assess your vision at various distances.

Your eye doctor will also perform an exam of the back of your eye to detect cataracts, glaucoma or any other health concerns. They will evaluate blood vessels, nerves and cornea health.

At least once annually, it is advised that everyone receive a thorough eye exam. Wearers of glasses or contacts should make an appointment well in advance so as to not miss an exam date; those living with an underlying condition such as Stargardt’s should schedule more frequent exams.

Wear Sunglasses

Stargardt disease occurs when fatty material collects in the macula, the small region of retina responsible for sharp and central vision. It typically affects those under 20 and can worsen over time. While not leading to complete blindness, Stargardt may make reading or driving difficult as well as make it hard to recognize faces and colors. Experts believe it may be caused by mutations of ABCA4 gene that produces proteins responsible for disposing waste from Vitamin A processing in eyes.

There is no cure for genetic condition, but you can manage its progression by maintaining a healthy diet and using low-vision aids such as sunglasses with UV protection to aid daily tasks and wearing wide-brimmed hats when going outdoors in bright light. Your eye doctor may also suggest certain vitamins or supplements such as zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin to slow its progress.

Stargardt’s syndrome typically manifests itself with gray or black spots appearing in the center of your vision, as well as blurry or distorted vision in dim conditions. Over time, however, symptoms can progress into difficulty reading or driving as your central vision declines further.

Your eye doctor will utilize visual acuity tests and color vision assessments to assess your vision and gauge its severity. In some instances, fluorescein angiogram may also be employed to study blood circulation within your retina.

Some patients with Stargardt’s may develop new blood vessels in their macula that leak and bleed similar to wet AMD, though these vessels can often be treated using injections of antibodies against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that block these blood vessels.

Your eye doctor will prescribe special glasses to improve both near and distance vision. These may include prism-based or bioptic telescopic glasses that reduce blind spots while improving reading and driving capabilities. In addition, vision rehabilitation exercises like pencil push-ups or slow pencil bringing may be recommended, and base-in prism reading glasses may aid with reading fine print more clearly.

Manage Your Diet

Stargardt disease, also known as fundus flavimaculatus, occurs due to mutations in genes. As a result, too much fatty material accumulates on light-sensitive retina cells called cones responsible for central vision and color perception – eventually this deposit kills off these cones, further diminishing vision.

Stargardt disease affects both eyes, usually starting during childhood or early adulthood. It is the most prevalent form of hereditary macular dystrophy and often referred to as juvenile macular degeneration type 1.

Stargardt disease is caused by a mutation of one gene located within the macula, where an abnormal protein produced by this gene impedes nutrients and waste from entering or leaving its environment, ultimately resulting in macula degeneration over time.

Stargardt disease does not have a definitive treatment, but there are ways to slow its progress and manage symptoms. Laser treatment may be performed to seal leaky blood vessels in the retina; low-vision aids like magnifying glasses, telescopes and special software for computers or smartphones may also provide assistance; counseling services as well as vocational guidance may also be provided for individuals living with Stargardt disease.

Consider Low-Vision Aids

Stargardt disease is an inherited form of macular degeneration that results in gradual loss of central vision. It usually first manifests itself during childhood or adolescence with central blind spots (known as central scotomas) appearing and an associated decrease in color perception.

Stargardt’s disease results from mutations to the ABCA4 gene that provides instructions for creating a protein responsible for clearing away waste products from the retina. Mutations cause this protein to malfunction and accumulate lipofuscin waste material within retinal pigment epithelium layers – slowing transmission of visual signals from retinal photoreceptor cells as well as contributing to progressive degeneration of macula tissue.

There is no cure for Stargardt’s, but low-vision aids may help those living with the condition maintain independence. These aids include sunglasses designed to block UV radiation, magnifying glasses and telescopes as well as software to allow computers and smartphones to function better. Low-vision specialists can teach individuals how to use these aids properly as well as training on alternative techniques for performing life skills and academic tasks; additionally they may offer canes or travel training as mobility devices.

Studies are currently ongoing to investigate stem cell therapy, gene therapy and drug trials as possible treatments for Stargardt’s disease. Furthermore, nutritional supplements may help slow its progress.

Case 2 describes a 19 year-old female patient diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease at age 19. Neither she nor any members of her family had experienced retinal eye diseases or blindness prior to this point, and had normal vision until that momentous day when Stargardt’s was identified as her condition of choice. At 19, her vision suddenly worsened suddenly and began having difficulty reading restaurant menus or distinguishing whiteboard marker colors in class. Echothiophate iodide was given as a nutritional supplement and the patient experienced significant improvements in her vision, possibly as a result of blocking acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Reducing its activity increased cholinergic stimulation resulting in better visual acuity and color perception.