Stargardt’s Disease

Stargardt’s disease or fundus flavimaculatus, is a form of juvenile macular degeneration that’s inherited through parents. Almost 0.01% population is affected with this disease.

Stargardt’s disease is characterized by early age loss of central vision. The disease involves the photosensitive cells of the retina and deteriorates them, specially the cells in the macula. Macula is the part of retina that’s responsible for the sharp and main central vision, therefore once macula is damaged, the central vision is disturbed, however the peripheral vision of the eye remains intact. The vision loss is progressive and ultimately leads to blindness in most cases.

Signs and symptoms of Stargardt Disease:

Stargardt disease’s main symptoms is the loss of visual acuity. The visual acuity of the patient ranges from 20/50 to 20/200. Common symptoms of stargardt disease include:

• Loss of visual acuity

• Loss of central vision mainly due to macular impairment

• Sensitivity to glare

• Symptoms appearing before the age of 20

• Blurring of vision

• Wavy vision

• Blind spots in the visual field

• Difficulty in dim light adaptation

• Impaired color vision

Management of Stargardt’s disease:

Currently there is no definitive treatment for stargardt disease available as a proven one. However, clinical trials related to stem cell therapy are underway that may come up with way to reverse or at least halt the progression of the disease.

Management of the patients who have developed the symptoms of Stargardt’s Disease is important as the disease has devastating affects on the patients life if left unmanaged and unaided.

Glasses for Stargardt’s disease:

It’s possible to manage stargardt’s disease even if it has reached the extent of legal blindness. eSight Eyewear  (esighteyewear.com) provides electronic glasses to the affected patients. They can allow people to see even if they are legally blind! In addition, we can design Customized Optical Systems, special glasses for Stargardt’s disease.

If you have been diagnosed with stargardt’s disease there are options available. Consult the Low Vision Specialists of MD & VA to understand the proper and best management options available for you. We’re the first and only practitioners of eSight technology in Mid-Atlantic region and therefore can provide the electronic glasses for patients suffering with Stargardt’s Disease.