Macular Dystrophy: A Genetic Eye Disorder

Macular Dystrophy is a genetic eye disorder caused mainly in children below the age of ten. It is caused due to presence of a recessive gene, which affects the retina of the eye.

Cause:

Macular Dystrophy is caused due to a gene present in chromosome number 6. This gene affects a smaller area of the retina called macula. The macula is responsible for sharp vision.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of this disorder are as follows :

• Loss of vision
• Loss of night vision
• Distorted vision
• Difficulty in reading
• Photophobia(dislike of bright colours)

Treatment:

Poor vision in a child should be diagnosed by eye specialists. Accordingly, the child should be given spectacles to correct the disorder at the initial stages. Though there is no cure of this disorder, scientists are doing their research on this genetic disorder.

There are many ways by which a child’s poor vision can be improved. This is only possible by the joint effort of the parents and the eye specialists.