Stargardt disease is the most common form of inherited juvenile
macular degeneration. The progressive vision loss associated with
Stargardt disease is caused by the death of photoreceptor cells in the
central portion of the retina called the macula.
The retina is
the delicate light-sensing tissue lining the back inside wall of the
eye. Photoreceptor cells in the retina provide vision by conveying
information from the visual field to the brain. The macula is
responsible for sharp central vision — for tasks like reading, watching
television, and looking at faces.
Decreased central vision is a
hallmark of Stargardt disease. Side vision is usually preserved.
Stargardt disease typically develops during childhood and adolescence.
Also involved in Stargardt disease is a region beneath the macula
called the retinal pigment epithelium.
While there are currently no treatments
for Stargardt disease, the Foundation is supporting several promising
avenues of research, including gene, stem cell and drug therapies.For the latest research advances for Stargardt disease treatments, refer to the Foundation publication
Stargardt Disease: Research Advances.
UV
blocking sunglasses are generally recommended for outdoors. For people
who already have significant vision loss, low vision aides are
available.
