4.5 million people have age-related macular degeneration

In common diseases, most think of back pain, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis or diabetes. But also diseases of the eyes are common diseases. In Germany, 63 percent of adults have ametropia. A cataract is noticeable every second between 52 and 64 years, from the mid-60 even 90 percent are affected. With approximately 4.5 million people, the age-related retinal disease macular degeneration is one of the most common eye diseases. In addition, one million people suffer from a glaucoma and around 600,000 diabetics suffer from diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Kaweh Schayan-Araghi, board member of the professional association of ophthalmologists and medical director of the Artemis Ophthalmic Clinic in Frankfurt, explains the common ophthalmological diseases.

Defective vision - presbyopia dominates from 50
Myopia is the most common among the defective eyes. Those affected will find it difficult to see from a distance of a few meters. In ophthalmological values, myopia is reflected in a minus sign before the dioptric number. It used to be natural to wear glasses. For many, this is no longer an option today for practical and aesthetic reasons. Then help with contact lenses, laser surgery or lens implantation. "Implanted lenses are particularly suitable for extreme myopia", Dr. Schayan-Araghi. From the age of five, presbyopia is the most common deficiency vision with 95 percent. In addition to reading or progressive lenses, the surgical use of so-called multifocal lenses also helps.

Cataracts - signs of wear that strike almost anyone
Like presbyopia, the cataract also belongs to the natural signs of aging of the body and therefore to aging. From the middle of the 60th 90 percent suffer from the disease, which is well treatable. In eye disease, the lens becomes cloudy in the eye, making the pupil shimmer gray in the advanced stage. Through surgery, eye surgeons replace the clouded lens with an artificial one. Every year, doctors in Germany alone carry out about 600,000 of these operations. Thanks to a minimally invasive, mini-incision technique, this procedure is gentle and precise.

Macular degeneration destroys point of sharp vision
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in old age. In the center of the retina lies the so-called yellow spot, the point of sharp vision. If this area is affected, vision disappears. "Concerned people can still orient themselves - even in the advanced stage - read, recognize themselves in the mirror or someone else, but no longer works", explains Dr. med. Schayan-Araghi. The so-called dry macular degeneration is the most common form but progresses very slowly. At 15 percent, the wet form affects fewer people, but it is much faster and more aggressive. While no remedy exists against the dry form, injections of certain drugs into the eye help against the moist form. But therapies only stop progressive vision loss, so regular checkups are important.

Green Star - checkups prevent consequential damage
About 800,000 Germans are affected by the green star, but only half know about it. With increasing age, the permeability of a tiny canal in the eye decreases, which serves as a drain for the aqueous humor. As a result, the water accumulates, the intraocular pressure rises and the optic nerve is continuously destroyed. With timely diagnosis, physicians have various treatments available that interrupt the course of the disease and preserve the patient's vision. Depending on the severity of the disease, medication, laser treatment or surgery are used. Again, the prerequisite for a successful therapy is the early recognition of the disease. For this reason, experts recommend taking preventive examinations every two to three years from the age of 40 years. Patients at increased risk advocate for yearly control.

diabetic Retinopathy often detected too late
The secondary disease of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, affects people who suffer from metabolic disease for many years. After twenty years, about 95 percent of patients with type 1 diabetes experience retinal damage, and about 60 percent of type 2 diabetics. "The trick is that there are virtually no symptoms in the initial stages," explains Dr. Schayan-Araghi. For diabetics, the changes destroying his vision remain hidden for a long time. However, as specialists recognize the disease much earlier, every diabetic should consult an ophthalmologist and have an annual check-up. (Pm)