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.
Jordana Fein is an Ophthalmologist in Fairfax, Virginia. Dr. Fein has been practicing medicine for over 15 years and is rated as an Advanced doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Stargardt Macular Degeneration. She is also highly rated in 17 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration, Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa (XLRP), and Retinitis Pigmentosa. Dr. Fein is currently accepting new patients.
Gayatri Reilly is an Ophthalmologist in Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Reilly has been practicing medicine for over 16 years and is rated as an Experienced doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Stargardt Macular Degeneration. She is also highly rated in 5 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Endophthalmitis, Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration, Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), and Adult-Onset Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy (AVMD). Dr. Reilly is currently accepting new patients.
Stephen Pappas is an Ophthalmologist in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Pappas has been practicing medicine for over 34 years and is rated as an Experienced doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Stargardt Macular Degeneration. He is also highly rated in 5 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Blue Cone Monochromatism, Color Blindness, Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), and Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration. Dr. Pappas is currently accepting new patients.
Summary: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Zimura™ (complement factor C5 inhibitor) compared to Sham in subjects with autosomal recessive Stargardt disease 1 (STGD1).
Summary: The primary objective of this trial is to assesses the efficacy of tinlarebant in slowing the rate of growth of atrophic lesion(s) in adolescent subjects with STGD1
Published Date: November 01, 2010Published By: National Institutes of Health