What is age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?
Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of poor vision after age 60 currently affecting approximately 10 million Americans and millions more around the world. This disease attacks the macula, that part of the retina where your central “eagle eye” vision occurs. Although macular degeneration rarely causes “complete” blindness, it often destroys central vision leaving only the peripheral (“outermost”) vision intact. To learn where the macula is in relation to other parts of the eye, click eye anatomy for an overview of how the eye works.
Pathologic condition (altered or caused by a disease or abnormal function) Group of conditions that include deterioration of the macula, (small area at the back of the retina) resulting in a loss of sharp central vision. It is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over age 60 in the western world. Vision loss occurs when the cells in the light sensitive region of the eye, known as the retina, start to deteriorate or break down. The most severely affected cells are those within a special region of the retina known as the macula, which is responsible for fine detail vision. This type of vision loss – central detail vision – affects reading, driving, watching TV, sewing, seeing the faces of family and friends, and any other task that requires focusing on small objects. Although macular degeneration reduces central vision, side vision remains clear. Sometimes only one eye loses vision while the other eye continues to see well. There are two main types of macular degeneration: “
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of central vision loss in the Western world in persons over the age of 55. It is an age-associated degenerative disorder of the macula, the part of the retina responsible for straight-ahead, central vision. As some people age, the macula weakens and its cells begin to break down. This may result in the loss of central vision.
