Stargardt Eye Disease (STED) is an inherited form of macular degeneration which affects the central part of the retina (light processing tissue). Vision in these areas gradually deteriorates over time.

At age 19, she began experiencing central scotomas and decreased color perception. OCT scans show areas of pigment mottling and subretinal lipofuscin deposits.

1. Sunglasses with UV protection

Sunglasses can help those living with Stargardt’s disease protect their eyes from UV radiation, which is known to contribute to cataracts, macular degeneration and other eye conditions. When selecting sunglasses with UV protection and polarized lenses it will reduce sun damage both directly and to nearby skin tissue.

UV protective sunglasses should always be worn when going outdoors on sunny days to slow the progression of their disease and protect their eyes from UV glare and light reflecting off snow or water surfaces. In addition, wearing UV-blocking glasses can prevent glare caused by direct sunlight as well as prevent light reflecting off these surfaces from reflecting onto patients.

Glasses should be comfortable to wear for extended periods, with a stylish design that appeals to patients. Their frames should be constructed of durable materials that resist scratches and dents while remaining lightweight for reduced strain on eyes and fatigue. Clear lenses coated to reduce UV radiation should also be chosen.

One should always consult with their eye care provider when choosing the ideal pair of sunglasses to meet their individual needs, including tints and coatings to reduce eye strain, increase visual clarity, improve cosmetic appearance and block harmful UV rays. Some lenses also work to increase contrast while reducing glare. Furthermore, certain activities, like driving for instance, require specific lenses that contain anti-reflective coatings in order to minimize reflection off roads or water surfaces.

Polarized sunglasses are designed to reduce glare by filtering out horizontally polarized light and only permitting vertical light through. They are an especially useful addition for outdoor sports like boating or fishing; additionally they improve visibility during snow skiing or snowboarding and offer greater comfort than non-polarized lenses.

Polarized lenses in these sunglasses provide 99% to 100% UV (ultraviolet) ray protection. UV rays from sunlight can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration and skin cancer – as well as damage the lenses, cornea, eyelids of our eye. Polarized UV protection sunglasses can help avoid this damage – an essential item for anyone living with Stargardt’s disease or another eye condition.

2. Manage your diet

Stargardt disease (STGD) is an inherited genetic eye condition caused by build-ups of fatty material on the macula — the small area of retina responsible for sharp, central vision – typically beginning during childhood or adolescence. People living with STGD typically notice gray, black or blurry areas in their vision which make fine details more difficult to see; driving becomes challenging and changes to light intensity become uncomfortable experiences.

STGD is caused by changes (mutations) to the ABCA4 gene which provides instructions for making protein. This protein transports essential substances necessary for light to electrochemical signals to convert in the retina, yet in those affected with STGD this protein no longer functions correctly, leading to accumulation of lipofuscin deposits that kill off central vision cells over time.

Although there is no cure for STGD, certain things may help slow its progress. People can benefit from eating more leafy green vegetables and fish such as salmon, tuna or mackerel for its omega-3 fatty acids that provide essential eye benefits. Supplementing with docosahexanoic acid (DHA), another vital eye nutrient found naturally within fish products, may also prove useful; DHA supplements are widely available at health food stores or doctors offices and may help protect your retina.

3. Low-vision aids

Low-vision aids are devices designed to assist people in daily activities by increasing independence. From magnifying glasses and telescopes to computers with software for reading, writing, and working tasks – low-vision aids come in all sorts of prices that may even be covered by insurance plans. They may even help children living with Stargardt disease gain better eyesight.

Stargardt disease is an hereditary retinal condition affecting the central part of the retina (macula) that leads to decreased central visual acuity and color vision. The genetic mutation causing protein blockage by “cone” photoreceptor cells of retina, is one of the most frequently heritable macular degenerations and most frequently affects children or young adults.

This case report describes a young woman, aged 19, who was diagnosed with Stargardt disease at age 19. She had no family history of blindness or retinal disease and took no medications; prior to age 19, her central visual acuity and color vision had been normal, until she began having difficulty distinguishing whiteboard marker colors during high school classes. After consulting several retinal specialists including The Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute for confirmation, Stargardt disease was officially confirmed.

Patients were provided counseling on how to utilize low-vision aids effectively, and fitted with various devices. The results demonstrated that which device a patient chose depended upon his or her age, occupation, stage of disease progression and personal preference; those aged 40+ often favored higher adds and half-eye glasses while younger individuals preferred dome magnifiers; there was a strong positive correlation between disease duration and magnification level on low-vision aid devices.

The eSight device is an FDA-approved and user-friendly low-vision aid with an integrated system to provide an immersive video display, perfect for daily tasks like reading and watching television. Based on human visual system principles, its proprietary technology enables people living with Stargardt disease to take part in activities they were previously incapable of undertaking.

4. Laser treatment

Stargardt disease is a genetic condition that causes gradual vision loss. It primarily impacts retina, the light-processing tissue located inside each eyeball that processes light; specifically it targets an area called macula in this tissue. The macula is an area in the retina with the highest concentration of light-sensing cells called rods and cones, responsible for providing central vision as well as color vision. Stargardt disease occurs when genetic mutations cause proteins to build up in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). As these proteins build up and accumulate lipofuscin as metabolic waste products, this causes RPE cell loss resulting in its inability to convert light to electrochemical signals that the brain interprets as visual images.

Over time, damage to these cells leads to vision loss that can eventually result in legal blindness. Though no cure exists for this condition, treatments available may slow its progress, including wearing sunglasses with UV protection and following a low-protein diet and getting enough physical activity, and using prescription glare reducers. It is also essential that regular eye exams be scheduled so as to stay aware of any changes to your vision and keep up with any alterations in vision that might arise.

Recently published case report demonstrates the positive results of laser treatment on a Stargardt disease patient. She had normal visual acuity until age 19 when she noticed gradual declines in both central and color vision, prompting her to seek advice from specialists at several university hospitals who confirmed their diagnosis as Stargardt disease.

This case study describes how administering a low dose of echothiophate iodide improved both BCVA and color vision of its patient as well as markedly improving her quality of life.

The authors of the article believe this study to be among the first examples demonstrating retinal photocoagulation as an effective Stargardt disease treatment, hoping this will encourage other specialists to search for other ways of treating Stargardt. Over time, gene therapy, stem cell therapy and drug clinical trials could offer potential solutions.