Pantelidou Maria E, Sunnucks David, Pantelidis Elias P
Ophthalmology, James Paget University Hospital, Great Yarmouth, GBR.
Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, GBR.
Cureus. 2024 Dec 1;16(12):e74911. doi: 10.7759/cureus.74911. eCollection 2024 Dec.
Macular degeneration (MD) is a pathological condition affecting the macula, an area located near the center of the retina. This disease affects individuals of all ages, both children and adults, causing severe visual impairment. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual loss in the older population while Stargardt disease (SD) is the most common hereditary maculopathy with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Current management involves anti-vascular endothelial growth factor intravitreal injections, visual aids, and other conservative prevention mechanisms that can only delay the inevitable progress of the disease. Macular dystrophies have an impact on both individuals and societies with psychological and financial implications, respectively. It is evident that vision impairment has a significant impact on patients' physical and mental well-being, and therefore it is important to improve current treatment modalities, develop stem cell therapies, and further novel treatments in order to provide a better prognosis and overall quality of life.
黄斑变性（MD）是一种影响黄斑的病理状况，黄斑是位于视网膜中心附近的区域。这种疾病影响所有年龄段的人，包括儿童和成人，会导致严重的视力损害。年龄相关性黄斑变性（AMD）是老年人群视力丧失的主要原因，而斯塔加特病（SD）是最常见的具有常染色体显性遗传模式的遗传性黄斑病变。目前的治疗方法包括玻璃体内注射抗血管内皮生长因子、视觉辅助工具以及其他只能延缓疾病不可避免进展的保守预防机制。黄斑营养不良分别对个人和社会产生心理和经济影响。显然，视力损害对患者的身心健康有重大影响，因此，改进当前的治疗方式、开发干细胞疗法以及进一步探索新的治疗方法以提供更好的预后和整体生活质量非常重要。
