Will you go blind with Stargardt disease?
The condition can be slowly degenerative and progressive, but it is very uncommon for someone with Stargardt Disease to become completely blind. The rate of progression and degree of visual loss can vary from person to person and even among affected members of the same family.
Can Stargardt disease be cured?
There is Currently No Cure for Stargardt Disease Stargardt disease affects the eye’s retina, which is a light-sensitive layer of tissue lining the interior of the back of the eye.
Can people with Stargardt disease drive?
These low vision optics enable you to read signs and see traffic lights in the distance. So getting a driver’s license and driving safely with Stargardt disease – even if you are legally blind – can be an option!
Is Stargardt disease rare?
Stargardt macular degeneration is the most common form of juvenile macular degeneration, the signs and symptoms of which begin in childhood. The estimated prevalence of Stargardt macular degeneration is 1 in 8,000 to 10,000 individuals.
What is Stargardt disease?
Disease at a Glance Summary Stargardt disease is a genetic eye disorder that causes progressive vision loss. It affects the macula, an area of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. Vision loss is due to abnormal accumulation of a fatty yellow pigment (lipofuscin) in the cells within the macula.
Can Stargardt disease be passed from one parent to another?
A person with autosomal recessive Stargardt disease will always pass one mutated copy of the gene to each of his/her children. In other words, each of his/her children will at least be a carrier. A child of an affected person can be affected if the other parent is also affected or is a carrier.
Is there a cure for Stargardt disease?
There are possible treatments for Stargardt disease that are being tested, including a gene therapy treatment, which has been given orphan drug status by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA, similar to the FDA).
What vitamins should I avoid if I have Stargardt disease?
Animal studies have shown that taking excessive amounts of vitamin A and beta carotene could promote the additional accumulation of lipofuscin, as well as a toxic vitamin A derivative called A2E; it is typically recommended that these be avoided by individuals with Stargardt disease.