Stargardt’s Disease

Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center is a specialized eye clinic in Dubai that sees patients with visual difficulties and diseases. Our eye clinic is always at the forefront of technology and research to ensure that all our visiting patients get the best eye care treatment available in Dubai. We treat many diseases related to the eyes like Cataracts, Glaucoma and see patients with low vision quality. We specialize in Lasik treatment as well as Keratoconus.

Stargardt’s disease, similar to Macular Degeneration, but is diagnosed in young children and adults as an inherited disease.

Stargardt’s disease scientifically referred to as fundus flavimaculatus or Stargardt’s Macular dystrophy (SMD). This affects approximately one in 10,000 individuals, defined by the loss of central vision early life not caused by external factors like the environment or nutrition.

The retina contains light sensitive cells rods and cones. Cones cells are sensitive to colour and are more concentrated in the center of the retina. This area of the retina also called the yellow spot. The rods, which are cells sensitive to black and white colour are in the peripheral region of the yellow spot and is responsible for black and white vision.

The retina is protected by a thin yellow covering of epithelial cells, made up of vitamin A. The outer skin of the retina, acts as natural sunglasses protecting the inner eye from harsh UV damage. Stargardt’s disease is when these epithelial cells degenerate and clump together forming dark yellow spots preventing light from reaching the retina. Usually the disease begins in the center of the retina, which is why it affects the central vision first. Gradually, the disease spread to the rest of the retina causing semi blindness and eventually complete blindness.

Studies suggest aggregation or “clumping” of vitamin A in the retina may be associated both with Stargardt’s disease and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). These clumpy deposits are known as “vitamin A dimmers”.

Causes of Stargardt’s Disease

Stargardt’s disease is a hereditary disease that does not have a medical cure as yet The disease is transferred to children when both parents suffer from Stargardt’s Disease. Studies have revealed that the disease is caused by a mutation of a gene that is responsible for processing vitamin A in the eye. However, parents who are only carriers of the recessive gene also transfer this disease to the children.

How fast does Stargardt’s disease progress?

The progression of Stargardt’s disease differs from person to person and vision problems can begin in early childhood to late teens. However, in some cases the onset of the disease does not begin until mid adulthood. As Stargardt’s disease is the degeneration of light sensitive cells, some studies show that by protecting your eyes with proper prescription glasses or wearing medically prescribed sunglasses reduces the progress of this disease.

What are the treatments for Stargardt’s disease?

There are no known treatments so far for Stargardt’s disease. However, initial stem cell research has shown 100% improvement in rats that have a similar type disease. Phase 1 and 2 of the clinical trials began in 2011 and scientists are hopeful that a cure will be found to counteract the onset of Stargardt’s Disease.

Good Nutrition for the Eyes

When we talk about our health in Dubai, we concern ourselves with good nutrition for the body, but pay minimum attention to the health of the eyes. We must understand, that although, the heart, brain and bones is what does keep up well, our main objective to remain healthy is to enjoy life and not become the responsibility of other people, prematurely. Having healthy vision fits into this objective more prominently than we realize.

The eyes like all the other parts of the body, has its own requirements for good nutrition and exercise.

Here are the most important nutrients and minerals that your eyes require for great vision throughout your life.

Chromium – contributes to controlling intraocular pressure when focusing on near or far objects. The muscles used the most are those in the eye, and chromium helps with muscular contraction in the eye. Good sources of Chromium are greens like spinach, peppers and green apples, meat and eggs, and especially seafood like oysters.

Vitamin C – we cannot stress any further importance on the value of vitamin c on the correlation between the prevention of many visual diseases and illness like Cataract, and reduces intraocular pressure in Glaucoma patients. Even though, we are naturally inclined to think that only citric fruits and juices are good sources of vitamins C, you would be surprised to know that green vegetables like Broccoli, parleys, collards and chili pepper are richer in vitamin C than citric fruits.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin – types of carotenoids help protect the retina of the eye, responsible for distinguishing colours. These two nutrients, act like natural sunglasses that protects the inner eyes from severe UV radiation. Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which helps form a yellow covering over the retina, and are found in similar color, yellow peppers, pumpkin, corn, carrots, and yellow tomatoes. Other rich sources are fruits like papaya, mangos, and oranges.

Zinc – helps convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, which is an important nutrient that helps to maintain good vision. The highest level of zinc is found in the eyes of the human body and constant replenishment can be achieved by eating foods like oysters or oyster sauce and spinach. Artificial sources like good multivitamins should contain high amounts of zinc sufficient for the eye.

Selenium - an anti-oxidant that helps in the prevention of cataracts and macular degeneration by neutralizing free radicals in the eye. Selenium found in the same foods as chromium and additionally in foods like garlic, fish, and brewer’s yeast.

Glutathione – a type of amino acid linked to the prevention of retinal disease, glaucoma, cataracts, and blindness due to diabetes. Foods rich in glutathione are sulfur-based foods such as asparagus, onions and garlic and fruits like watermelon and grapefruits.

Ginkgo – another powerful anti-oxidant is one of the oldest species of trees in the world that has existed for over 150 million years. It helps in maintaining healthy retinas if taken throughout your lifetime.