Stargardt's Disease
Eye Conditions & Care | Eye Conditions | Stargardt's Disease
Stargardt's Disease is the most common form of inherited Macular Degeneration in children and young people (juveniles). The disease not only causes the loss of central vision but also affects colour vision. With onset from about the age of 6, the effects vary from minor to complete loss of central vision.
Stargardt's Disease, also known as fundus flavimaculatus, is usually diagnosed in individuals under the age of 20 when decreased central vision is first noticed, but some people may not be aware of any sight problem until they are 30 or even 40 years of age.
As with other macular problems, colour vision is affected but many people do not notice loss of colour vision in the early stages. Most people do not suffer loss of peripheral vision nor do they experience night blindness.
Stargardt's Disease is almost always inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder. For more information see Inheritance Patterns. Carriers are unaffected because they have only one copy of the gene. The gene responsible for Stargardt's has recently been discovered and it is hoped that it will lead to some form of testing or treatment in the future.