Macular degeneration is a deterioration or breakdown of the macula. The macula is a small area in the retina at the back of the eye that allows you to see fine details clearly and perform activities such as reading and driving. When the macula does not function correctly, your central vision can be affected by blurring, dark areas or distortion. Macular degeneration affects your ability to see near and far and can make some activities– like threading a needle or reading—difficult or impossible. Although macular degeneration reduces vision in the central part of the retina, it usually does not affect the eye’s side, or peripheral, vision. For example, you could see the outline of a clock but not be able to tell what time it is.

Macular degeneration alone does not result in total blindness. Even in more advanced cases, people continue to have some useful vision and are often able to take care of themselves. In many cases, macular degeneration’s impact on your vision can be minimal.

Many older people develop macular degeneration as part of the body’s natural aging process. There are different kinds of macular problems, but the most common is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Exactly why it develops is not known, and no treatment has been uniformly effective. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe vision loss in Caucasians over 65.

Types of Macular Degeneration

“Dry” Macular Degeneration (Atrophic)

Most people have the “dry” form of AMD. It is caused by aging and thinning of the tissues of the macula. Vision loss is usually gradual.

“Wet” Macular Degeneration (Exudative)

The “wet” form of macular degeneration accounts for about 10% of all AMD cases. It results when abnormal blood vessels form underneath the retina at the back of the eye. These new blood vessels leak fluid or blood and blur central vision. Vision loss may be rapid and severe.

 

Many people do not realize that they have a macular problem until blurred vision becomes obvious. Your ophthalmologist or optometrist can detect early stages of AMD during a medical eye examination.

Vision Affected by Macular Degeneration

Although the exact causes of macular degeneration are not fully understood, antioxidant vitamins and zinc may reduce the impact of AMD in some people. It is very important to remember that vitamin supplements are not a cure for AMD, nor will they restore vision that you may have already lost from the disease. However, specific amounts of these supplements do play a key role in helping some people at high risk for advanced AMD to maintain their vision.  In addition to certain specific vitamins, your doctor may recommend in office medical treatments.  The most common and effective treatment for wet macular degeneration is a medication that can be painlessly injected into the eye to prevent the progression of, or in some cases reverse damage and vision loss due to macular degeneration.