Macular degeneration is the accumulation of debris in the retina that causes destruction to the photoreceptors in the center of the macula (the visual field). It can seriously affect the patient’s vision.
The macula is a defined area about 5mm wide that is located in the retina of the eye. It contains the highest concentration of photoreceptors and is responsible for focused vision. Degeneration of the cells responsible for the photoreceptors' metabolism around the macula causes an accumulation of metabolic products that drown the retina's photoreceptors. It usually happens as part of the so-called age-related, dry macular degeneration, the most common cause of blindness in people over 65 years in the western world. Additional incrimination of blood vessels into the retina, water retention and other deposits lead to the less common wet macular degeneration. Less commonly, certain drugs (such as chloroquine) or an extreme myopia can cause macular degeneration.
As the name age-related macular degeneration suggests, the disease frequently occurs with old age. Even before the patient notices deterioration of vision, an ophthalmologist can detect the presence of accumulated debris in the retina. Patients often report deterioration in the eye’s ability to focus and notice a grey shadow wherever they look. In the wet form of macular degeneration, warped perception of fixed objects, such as words in text, occurs.
There is currently no treatment that can cure the dry form of macular degeneration. Specialized glasses for macular degeneration exist and can help to improve vision. In some cases of the wet form of macular degeneration, laser treatment or photodynamic treatment can be used to clog up abnormal vessel growth. Additionally, medication can be sprayed into the eyes at regular intervals in an attempt to stop the progress of the disease.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
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