Stargardt disease, also known as fundus flavimaculatus, is an inherited form of macular degeneration which typically manifests before age 20 and results in the destruction of retinal cone photoreceptor cells responsible for central and color vision.

Blood tests can provide definitive proof of Stargardt eye disease as well as identify carriers who may not show symptoms but could pass it along to their children.

1. Wear Sunglasses

Stargardt disease is an inherited form of macular degeneration that affects the macula at the center of the retina, gradually leading to central vision loss as well as impairment of color vision. It typically begins early on during childhood or adolescence and worsens over time; symptoms often include blurry or wavy vision, blind spots, impaired color vision and difficulty seeing in low light environments.

There is no cure or treatment available to treat AMD, but there are steps you can take to slow its progression. Wearing sunglasses with UV protection can protect your eyes from the harsh sunlight; additionally a wide-brimmed hat may further shield them from UV rays. Adding to these protection measures with an adequate diet rich in A, C and E vitamins; zinc; lutein and zeaxanthin may help improve vision as well.

An integral component of lowering your risk of Stargardt disease is early diagnosis. If you detect symptoms, it’s essential to consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible – they will examine your eyes using tools like an Amsler grid, visual acuity tests and fluorescein angiography scans in order to accurately identify Stargardt disease.

Stargardt disease is caused by genetic mutations to the ABCA4 gene that lead to degeneration of photoreceptor cells in the retina’s macula, where you perceive fine details and colors. Over time, these cells degenerate into black holes within this region resulting in loss of central vision and central visual field impairment.

Stargardt disease typically begins in late teens or early 20s and its symptoms typically do not manifest themselves until reading or driving becomes difficult. People suffering from Stargardt have trouble seeing in low light conditions, with blurred or wavy central vision becoming evident over time. They also may have trouble distinguishing whiteboard marker colors in school or working on crafts projects.

Low-vision aids are a great way to stay independent and continue enjoying all of your favorite activities, without relying on others for support. Freedom Scientific offers desktop video magnifiers which enable you to read books, magazines, mail, view family photos, write checks and use computers and smartphones – as well as devices which read text aloud so you don’t have to struggle with faded letters and words.

2. Manage Your Diet

Stargardt disease, also referred to as Stargardt macular dystrophy or juvenile macular degeneration, is an inherited condition affecting the macula of your retina – which provides sharp central vision when looking straight lines. Although not curable, there are treatments available which may help manage symptoms and slow vision loss over time. Protecting eyes from sunlight exposure, watching diet closely, and attending regular ophthalmologic exams all can play an integral part in managing Stargardt disease successfully and maintaining quality of life.

Stargardt disease is caused by mutations to the ABCA4 gene, which produces a protein responsible for transporting lipofuscin from retinal cells to its destination in the macula and back out again, thus killing these cells and leading to vision loss. Stargardt is passed on through autosomal recessive inheritance – meaning affected individuals must inherit two copies from each parent, and carriers with only one defective gene won’t experience symptoms but will pass it along unknowingly as genetic defects to future generations.

Symptoms of macular degeneration typically appear during childhood or adolescence, although they can also appear later in adulthood. They typically exhibit as blurry or distorted vision that makes reading, driving a car, distinguishing shapes of objects, and distinguishing their shapes more challenging. Central vision gradually decreases while color vision diminishes over time.

Diet can play an important role in both the development and progression of Stargardt disease. A diet rich in fruit and vegetables rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help slow its progress; similarly, foods high in saturated fats, trans fats, or sugar should also be avoided.

Supplements may also prove effective in mitigating the symptoms of Stargardt disease, including DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid), which has been shown to improve central vision by decreasing lipofuscin accumulation in the macula. Choline, another essential nutrient for brain and eye function, should also be consumed regularly and taking echothiophate iodide may provide effective Stargardt disease treatments and even help prevent its development altogether in some individuals.

3. Consider Low-Vision Aids

Stargardt disease is an inherited retinal condition. This ailment causes waste products to build up in the central portion of retina (macula), leading to light-sensitive cells degenerating. While not leading to complete blindness, Stargardt disease may still cause blurred or distorted vision that low vision aids can help enhance.

Stargardt’s is currently incurable, but treatment options exist that may help slow its progress. Regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist are essential in diagnosing the disease and creating a treatment plan.

The ABCA4 gene provides instructions for producing a protein that clears waste products of the retina from within, such as buildup of fatty material known as drusen, out of eyes. When people with Stargardt’s have trouble with this gene, however, yellowish clumps of fat build up and destroy light-sensitive cells, leading to central vision becoming gradually blurrier and distorted over time.

Ophthalmologists who specialize in hereditary retinal diseases will be able to quickly and accurately diagnose your condition and recommend appropriate low-vision aids for you. They may even perform fundus photography tests to monitor the health of the retina and identify any damage caused by it.

Recent research demonstrated that topical cholinergic medications, like echothiophate iodide, can significantly enhance visual acuity and color vision for patients suffering from Stargardt disease. This was determined due to these drugs’ ability to increase acetylcholine levels at receptors and synapses within the eye – by inhibiting an enzyme known as acetylcholinesterase, thus increasing levels of acetylcholine.

Though the study only involved one patient, its results are promising. Larger and more controlled studies will need to be conducted in order to confirm these results; but even so, this case study offers hope of an eventual cure for an inherited disorder that affects many young people.

4. Schedule an Eye Exam

Stargardt’s Disease is a genetic eye condition in which fatty material accumulates in the macula, the small area of retina responsible for sharp, detailed central vision. Typically affecting children and young adults, this inherited condition often goes undetected or receives incorrect diagnoses until central vision loss becomes noticeable to its patient. Common symptoms may include blurriness, distortion and gray or black spots in their central field of vision accompanied by blurriness and distortion as well as gray or black spots around it.

People living with Stargardt’s disease typically possessing a mutation of the ABCA4 gene are unable to produce protein that cleans away waste products from their macula and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), leading to the accumulation of fatty materials which kill cells responsible for turning light into visual images and ultimately leading to cell death. Over time, as the RPE degenerates further, central vision may diminish while they still maintain good peripheral (side) vision.

Ophthalmologists can diagnose Stargardt’s disease through examination and performing several simple tests. An ophthalmologist will shine a bright light into each eye to look for red and green pigmentation on its pupil or surface as well as signs of inflammation or bacterial infection; additionally they may perform a visual acuity test (visual acuity measurement) to ascertain how significant vision loss might be.

Other tests include the slit lamp test, in which a doctor shines a vertical bar of light at your eye to magnify its surface and detect abnormalities on its cornea, iris and lens. An ophthalmologist will then look for signs of dry eye syndrome, glaucoma cataracts as well as diseases like retinitis pigmentosa or macular degeneration.

An ophthalmologist may perform OCT scans on the retina in order to monitor any changes or damage. For instance, people living with Stargardt’s disease often have their retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) become thickened due to swelling. An OCT scan will reveal areas where RPE atrophy has occurred – an ophthalmologist may advise patients wearing UV protective sunglasses and restricting vitamin A supplements in order to minimize risks of rapid vision loss from this condition.