My father had an angiogram of his eye becasue he was complaining of very dim eyesight. He had catract surgery in both eyes a few years ago. His test proved normal but several small yellow dots in the macula were discovered. Is an aging macula common in older people? Does it lead to blindness. Thank you..
Answered by Richard E. Gans, M. D.
The most likely reason why your father had an angiogram was to evaluate the macula, the center of the retina, to determine if he has a condition called macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is the age-related process that causes loss of central vision in some older individuals. Macular degeneration is a common condition. It is the most common cause of new blindness in individuals over the age of 65 in this country. The "yellow dots" that you describe, represent, drusen, which are warning signs that someone is at risk to develop macular degeneration. Usually, if an individual has drusen, and no other signs of macular degeneration, they will be followed closely and instructed in the use of self-screening tests. Sometimes, nutritional supplements and UV filters will be suggested. If macular degeneration develops, it can sometimes be treated with laser.
One must remember that even though we use the term "blindness" in this condition, in its legal definition, macular degeneration alone, never causes total blindness. Peripheral (side) vision is not effected by macular degeneration. Side vision is often enough to carry on most activities of dily living, except reading, driving, seeing small details and recognizing small objects.
PLEASE NOTE: The information contained on this system is not intended to supplant individual professional consultation, but is offered as a community education service. Advice on individual problems should be obtained directly from a professional.
Copyright, 1994. Richard E. Gans, M.D.
Last Modified: August 23, 1996