Macular degeneration or age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that deteriorates the macula. A healthy macula provides a sharp, central vision by being in control of visual acuity. The condition is more common in the elderly, especially to those aged 50 and older where it is either diagnosed as wet (neovascular) or dry (non-vascular). Wet AMD is associated with leakage of blood from abnormal blood vessels that grow under the retina while as dry AMD is diagnosed with the accumulation of yellowish spots around the macula. Macular degeneration generally contributes to the loss of vision (Gao et al., 2015). It is demonstrated in the graphics below;
Like any other day on land, the air pressure experienced by all sides of the eardrum is equal to the air passing through the Eustachian tube. This tiny canal keeps the pressure in equilibria by adjusting external air pressure with the middle air pressure by allowing air flow through the inner ear. However, when there is a sudden pressure change, for instance when on a flight, the Eustachian tube may experience difficulty the changes hence its blockage. During a plane take off the pressure inside the ear is greater than the external pressure thus an outward eardrum expansion. Consequently, when landing the pressure inside the ears is less than the external pressure resulting in an inward eardrum swell. At the moment some people may experience pain due to the swollen eardrums. As a result, the Eustachian tube is forced to consistently open wider in an effort to maintain and balance to the changed air pressure. The self-adjusting mechanism of equalizing the pressure results to the popping sensation. Swallowing minimizes the discomfort by providing stimulation to the back throat muscles that control the Eustachian tubes (Glanfield, 2017).
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References
Gao, J., Liu, R. T., Cao, S., Cui, J. Z., Wang, A., To, E., & Matsubara, J. A. (2015). NLRP3 inflammasome: activation and regulation in age-related macular degeneration. Mediators of inflammation , 2015 .
Glanfield, M., & Martin, T. (2017). The Physiological Effects of Altitude. In Aeromedical Transportation (pp. 60-75). CRC Press.
