Stargardt macular degeneration is a genetic eye disorder that causes progressive vision loss. This disorder affects the retina, the specialized light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye. Specifically, Stargardt macular degeneration affects a small area near the center of the retina called the macula. The macula is responsible for sharp central vision, which is needed for detailed tasks such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces. In most people with Stargardt macular degeneration, a fatty yellow pigment (lipofuscin) builds up in cells underlying the macula. Over time, the abnormal accumulation of this substance can damage cells that are critical for clear central vision. In addition to central vision loss, people with Stargardt macular degeneration have problems with night vision that can make it difficult to navigate in low light. Some affected individuals also have impaired color vision. The signs and symptoms of Stargardt macular degeneration typically appear in late childhood to early adulthood and worsen over time.
In most cases, Stargardt macular degeneration is caused by mutations in the ABCA4 gene. Less often, mutations in the ELOVL4 gene cause this condition. The ABCA4 and ELOVL4 genes provide instructions for making proteins that are found in light-sensing (photoreceptor) cells in the retina.
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.
Stargardt macular degeneration can have different inheritance patterns.
Stephen Tsang is an Obstetrics and Gynecologist and an Ophthalmologist in Tracy, California. Dr. Tsang is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Stargardt Macular Degeneration. He is also highly rated in 31 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Stargardt Macular Degeneration, Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa, and Retinopathy Pigmentary Mental Retardation. He is board certified in Obstetrics/gynecology and Ophthalmology and licensed to treat patients in California and New York. Dr. Tsang is currently accepting new patients.
Edwin Stone is an Ophthalmologist in Iowa City, Iowa. Dr. Stone has been practicing medicine for over 37 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Stargardt Macular Degeneration. He is also highly rated in 28 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration, Stargardt Macular Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa, and Age-Related Macular Degeneration. He is board certified in Ophthalmology and licensed to treat patients in Iowa. Dr. Stone is currently accepting new patients.
Rupert Strauss is in Graz, Austria. Strauss is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Stargardt Macular Degeneration. He is also highly rated in 2 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Stargardt Macular Degeneration, Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration, Age-Related Macular Degeneration, and Cone Dystrophy.
Published Date:updated Last, November
Published By: National Institutes of Health