What is Stargardts?

Stargardt’s Disease is an inherited eye disorder that causes loss of central vision at a young age. It affects the macula, the area of the eye responsible for central vision and seeing colour and fine details. The symptoms are very similar to Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

 

Stargardt’s Disease causes progressive vision loss and, in some cases, near blindness. The progression normally starts between the ages of six and twelve years old.

 

Stragardt’s is usually a recessive inherited condition, requiring that the person affected receives a gene from each parent to cause the disease. However, there have been a number of cases identified as dominant inheritance, requiring only one gene from either parent. The gene that causes Stargardt’s has been identified, bringing hope that a treatment will eventually be found.

 

Discover our visual aids for Stargardt’s Disease.

 

 

Normal vision vs. Stargardt's Disease 

 

What are the symptoms of Stargardt's  Disease

Symptoms of Stargardt’s Disease include:
- sensitivity to glare or bright lights
- wavy vision
- blind spots
- blurriness
- impaired colour vision
- difficulty adapting to dim lighting
- gradual loss of the ability to distinguish faces

 

What to expect from Stargardt's Disease

Reduced ability to see clearly caused by Stargardt’s cannot be corrected with prescription glasses or lenses. Most people with Stargardt’s will experience considerable loss of sight over a number of years. In some cases, peripheral vision (side vision) and night vision remain intact.

 

More information about Stargardt's Disease

There is extensive information available about Stargardt’s. The information included is intended to inform you about the basics of this eye condition, and is not intended as a replacement for information from your physician or eye specialist. Information regarding assistive devices that can help you if you have been diagnosed with Stargardt’s is included. Our recommendations can be found under Tools and Resources.

Living with Stargardts

Hearing that your sight is affected by Stargardt’s may turn your world upside down. When the initial emotions subside, you may be comforted by the knowledge that you are not alone. There are many people in your situation, some that have also just been diagnosed and some that have been living with Stargardt’s for years.

 

Many people with Stargardt’s continue to do the activities they always did. In most cases there is still peripheral (side) vision. Together with the use of specific devices to help you, you should still be able to do the things you love.

 

If you experience low vision as a result of Stargardt’s, there are low vision devices that can assist you with those tasks that you have difficulty with.  These devices will assist you with various visual tasks and will help you in continuing to lead an independent and full life.

Tools and Resources for Stargardts

There is extensive literature available on Stargardt’s. The internet provides a wealth of information and most countries have one or more associations or support groups for people affected by Stargardt’s. Our recommendations:

 

American Macular Degeneration Foundation

 

• Website
• Phone: 888 622-8527 

 

There are many devices that can assist you in a variety of daily tasks if you have Stargardt’s. Below is a short summary of some of these devices. For more information we suggest you browse through our product assortment or use our easy Help Me Choose assistant to search and filter based on your wishes.

 

 

Products that may be useful if you have Stargardts:

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