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Glenn Beck Announces He Has Macular Dystrophy – How does that differ from Macular Degeneration?

28th July, 2010 - Posted by Dr. S. Barry Eiden - No Comments

Conservative talk show host Glenn Beck announced recently that he was diagnosed with “macular dystrophy” and that he potentially could be blind within a year. 

“A couple of weeks ago I went to the doctor because of my eyes, I can’t focus my eyes…he did all kinds of tests and he said, ‘you have macular dystrophy …you could go blind in the next year. Or, you might not,” said Beck, reliving his trip to the optometrist. He also used the opportunity to take a shot at Barack Obama’s recent health care reform bill, saying that he wanted to go see the best doctor available while he still had the opportunity.

So, what is macular dystrophy and how does it compare to macular degeneration? Well, to begin with let’s review what the macula of the eye is. The macula is the central portion of the retina (the sensitive tissue lining the inner back surface of the eye that acts like the film of a camera). The central retina is responsible for detailed vision such as reading or seeing details of vision straight ahead of you. The remaining area of the retina outside of the macula is responsible for peripheral vision. Functionally the macula is responsible for “what is it” vision vs. the function of the peripheral retina which is responsible for “where is it” vision. Diseases of the macula will result in loss of central vision which can have negative effects on reading print, driving, watching TV, etc. However macula disease does NOT cause total blindness since peripheral vision is retained.

The macula is the central portion of the retina

Macula dystrophy describes a group of  hereditary macula diseases that can develop at variable points in life. Some patients with macula dystrophy can begin to loose central vision in childhood, while others may have a more delayed time period prior to notable vision loss. There are over 100 types of macula dystrophies with variable expressions and characteristics. Some retina specialists have stated that Beck may have a form of macular dystrophy called “Vitellaform Macular Dystrophy” or “Bests Disease” although the specific diagnosis has so far not been stated by Beck or his doctors. This form of macular dystropy often has physical signs at the macula early in life but with little effect on vision. Latter in life progressive changes occur that are associated with significant central vision loss. It is likely that Beck is now beginning to experience the more severe stage of the disease. How it will ultimately effect his occupational activities is yet to be determined.

Best's Disease

In comparison with macular dystrophy, macular degeneration is typically an age related disease process of the macula. It is far more common than macular dystrophy. In fact macular degeneration is the most common cause for “legal blindness” for people over the age of 65. We define legal blindness as a reduction of best corrected vision (meaning vision with best glasses or contact lenses) to 20/200 or less. Macular degenertation, although it has hereditary components, does not follow clear hereditary patterns. So, not all people with a family history of macular degeneration will suffer from the disease. Other risk factors for age related macular degeneration include: advancing age, exposure to UV radiation, smoking, obesity, and diets low in specific carotenoids such as  lutein and zeaxanthin (see our website at www.nsvc.com and refer to the section on nutrition and eye health). As you can see, a number of these risk factors for the development of age related macular degeneration are “modifiable” and as such within our control. We can actually now measure the levels of protective pigment carotenoids in our macula via a test called “QuantifEye”. This test is available at North Suburban Vision Consultants.

QuantifEye system to measure macula photopigment optical density (MPOD)