What is macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration is damage to the central part of the retina called the macula. The macula is a small area of the retina that allows us to see fine details clearly. When the macula doesn’t function correctly, we experience blurriness or distortion in the center of our vision. Macular degeneration affects both distance and close vision, and can make some activities – like threading a needle or reading – difficult or impossible. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of central vision loss among older people.
In macular degeneration, the light-sensing cells of the macula malfunction and may over time cease to work. Macular degeneration occurs most often in people over 60 years old, in which case it is called Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). Much less common are several hereditary forms of macular degeneration, which usually affect children or teen-agers. Collectively, they are called Juvenile Macular Degeneration. They include Best’s Disease, Stargardt’s Disease, Sorsby’s Disease and some others.
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in America. It results from age related changes to the macula, a portion of the retina that is responsible for clear, sharp vision and is located at the back of the eye. The cells in the macula can decrease their function and also cause the growth of new blood vessels. These vessels can be very fragile and can bleed, causing damage to the retina. This damage can lead to decreased vision and/or central vision loss.
