Juvenile macular degeneration
Name(s):
Best disease
Vitelliform macular degeneration
Stargardt's disease
Fundus flavimaculatus
Behr's dystrophy
Doyne's dystrophy
Honeycomb dystrophy
Nature
There are rare forms of macular degeneration which afflict young people, Collectively these conditions are called juvenile macular degeneration. Each is caused by a mutation in a gene. The primary symptom of juvenile macular degeneration is reduced vision. However, the peripheral retina (side vision) most often functions normally so there is not total blindness. Many children with juvenile macular degeneration function very well, performing routine school tasks with only a minimum of help. Glasses and low vision aids have been helpful in improving vision for patients with juvenile macular degeneration. Laser surgery is usually not effective in treating this condition.
Background
There are three general types of hereditary macular degeneration. (1) [Early onset - birth to age seven] This type is dominantly inherited which means that parents and their children can be affected (often called Best disease or vitelliform macular degeneration). (2) [Middle onset - age five to twenty] This type is often called Stargardt's disease, juvenile macular dystrophy or fundus flavimaculatus. It is usually recessively inherited, which means that it can appear when few or no other family members have been affected. Rarely, this condition can be dominantly inherited. (3) [Late onset age thirties and forties] This type may have either a dominant or recessive mode of inheritance (often called Behr's, Sorsby's, Doyne's or honeycomb dystrophy).
Broader
Value(s)
Type
(G) Very specific problems