Stargardt disease is an inherited form of macular degeneration which results in central vision loss. The condition often creates an unseen black hole at the center of one’s field of view and also impairs color vision.

Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly slow the progress of Stargardt macular degeneration and enhance vision. Low-vision devices such as magnifiers or screen magnification software may also assist people living with Stargardt macular degeneration to remain independent and maintain independence.

1. Vitamin A Supplements

Stargardt disease is an inherited form of macular degeneration that gradually results in vision loss. The condition typically appears during childhood or adolescence and affects one out of 10,000 individuals worldwide. A mutation to ABCA4 gene on chromosome 1 results in eyes not producing enough protein needed for moving vitamin A compounds between cells in retina responsible for central vision; without enough of this protein production, yellowish-brown clumps form in center macula that kill light-sensitive cells over time leading to vision loss over time.

Symptoms of macular degeneration include wavy or blurry vision, blind spots and difficulty seeing in low lighting conditions. First affected is the central retina where vision and colors are most vibrant; as time progresses this area slowly declines until eventually legal blindness ensues – the condition often affects both eyes but each may show different symptoms.

Though there is no cure for Stargardt Macular Degeneration, various treatments can slow its progress and improve overall vision. Most importantly, visiting an ophthalmologist who specializes in hereditary macular degeneration is essential – this specialist will conduct several diagnostic tests to confirm your presence of the condition and devise an individualized treatment plan to address it.

Stargardt disease patients should supplement regular eye examinations with a diet rich in leafy green vegetables and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids like docosahexanoic acid (DHA), which has been proven to support retinal health and function even with advanced cases of the condition. A multivitamin that contains both lutein and carotene may also help protect pigmentation by maintaining retinal pigmentation.

At present, several clinical trials are underway with the hope of discovering an effective stargardt macular degeneration treatment. An experimental drug called LBS-008 is being assessed in phase 2 trials conducted among people living with Stargardt disease for its ability to restore photoreceptor activity and protect against macular degeneration – and has received orphan drug status and rare pediatric disease designation from FDA indicating it could benefit many with Stargardt disease.

2. Sunglasses

Stargardt macular degeneration treatment centers on low-vision aids that will assist in managing symptoms and maintaining your independence. Such devices could include magnifying glasses, telescopes, screen magnification software for computers and mobile devices and magnifying glasses with telescopes. These devices can help improve your ability to read and navigate the world around you, as well as making everyday activities simpler and enhancing hobbies. As well as using low-vision aids, it is also crucial to visit an ophthalmologist who specializes in retinal diseases related to inheritance. They will use various tests such as electroretinography (ERG), optical coherence tomography (OCT) or genetic testing in order to accurately diagnose your condition and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Recent research has demonstrated that taking daily doses of the drug emixustat can significantly slow the progression of Stargardt disease for those who carry its mutation. It works by inhibiting activity of rhodopsin protein found in retina, which restricts passage of nutrients and waste products between macula cells. Furthermore, blocking its function also affects “cone” photoreceptor cells of retina.

Researchers discovered that patients with Stargardt disease who took emixustat experienced improvements in distance best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), near BCVA, and color vision, as measured by an Ishihara 10 plate test and fluorescein angiogram. Furthermore, their research team discovered that taking this medication decreased macular atrophy rates among these patients.

Though Stargardt macular degeneration cannot be reversed, you may be able to slow its rate of vision loss through healthy living practices and lowering risk factors for eye disease. Wearing sunglasses with UV protection is also helpful, and regular visits with an OD familiar with Stargardt macular degeneration are recommended so they can spot early symptoms like spots in central vision or difficulty seeing straight lines; low vision aids may also be suggested to maintain independence at home and work.

3. Anti-VEGF Injections

Stargardt macular degeneration is an inherited eye condition affecting the retina (light processing tissue lining the back of the eye). A hereditary mutation leads to degeneration of part of the retina called the macula; this area of fine vision responsible for reading, driving and seeing colors. As degeneration progresses central vision decreases rapidly reducing ability to read or drive while also recognising faces, colors or people. Therefore it becomes difficult to read or drive as well as identify objects/people around close range and identify faces while seeing details.

Stargardt disease is caused by hereditary mutation of the ABCA4 gene. This gene normally produces protein to assist the eyes’ proper functioning; when altered, however, it no longer makes this protein and eyes are no longer able to remove excess fatty material that accumulates under retina. This buildsup can clog light-sensitive cells within macula causing central vision loss.

Starting during childhood or adolescence, central vision gradually declines over time until eventually it deteriorates to such an extent that legal blindness sets in.

Stargardt macular degeneration treatment options are on the rise, including drugs and therapies to stimulate new blood vessel formation and reduce fluid leakage and swelling in the retina. One popular new strategy involves injecting anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) agents. These medications help stabilize and improve vision in many people with Stargardt macular degeneration.

One patient suffering from Stargardt disease underwent anti-VEGF therapy and experienced significant improvements in vision after 9 months of treatment. Color vision returned first, enabling him to see things such as the green John Deere tractor parked outside a store’s parking lot as well as street signs and traffic lights in the distance, plus different colors of clothes than they had been when he left home.

4. Steroid Eye Drops

Stargardt macular degeneration occurs when the retina’s central region, called the macula, begins to degenerate. This condition can lead to blurry or wavy vision, blind spots and reduced color perception, typically impacting approximately 1 in 8,000 to 10,000 children and adults before typically developing during childhood or adolescence. There is currently no known cure; however there are assistive devices available such as electronic magnifiers for better viewing small print or computer screens as well as speech-to-text products which read out printed mail, books or any printed materials aloud. Freedom Scientific offers many of these assistive devices which help people maintain independence within their homes and communities – including electronic magnifiers which help people suffering from Stargardt disease to maintain independence within their homes and communities as well as speech-to-text products which read aloud any printed materials such as mail, books or printed materials out loud for easier reading aloud for them!

Stargardt macular degeneration differs from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which involves the breakdown of retinal pigment epithelial cells, by being caused by accumulation of lipofuscin – a toxic form of vitamin A – in the macula, leading to dysfunction and eventually death of photoreceptor cells in the retina and eventually vision loss. Unfortunately, until recently no therapies had been approved by FDA that could slow or reverse Stargardt disease’s vision loss.

Research efforts are currently underway to develop treatments that can limit accumulations of lipofuscin components in the macula and slow progression of Stargardt disease. LBS-008 has recently entered clinical development; receiving orphan drug designation from both FDA and European Medicines Agency as well as successfully concluding its Phase 2 trial on patients.

Other therapies have shown promise in slowing or reversing visual decline in patients with Stargardt disease, including antioxidant saffron supplements that improve central vision in those suffering from ABCA4-related Stargardt macular dystrophy, while docosahexaenoic acid diet may delay progression in other individuals. Emuxistat hydrochloride, an oral medication which blocks an enzyme’s action within the body, has also shown promise as a treatment option to restore visual function in some Stargardt disease patients.

Further studies of these and other interventions are necessary to ascertain if they can improve quality of life for patients suffering from Stargardt disease and related retinal diseases, and blinding retinal diseases in general. This is the purpose of the Natural History of Progression in Stargardt Disease (ProgStar) project sponsored by the Foundation Fighting Blindness; ProgStar will provide information that will assist researchers when designing randomized controlled trials designed to test treatments that might slow or halt vision loss associated with Stargardt disease.