Macular degeneration (patient information)
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What is macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration is an eye disorder that damages the macula, which is responsible for central vision and is located near the center of the retina. The disease gradually destroys sharp, central vision, thereby making it difficult to see fine details. Because it normally affects older adults, the disorder is also called age related macular degeneration. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, it is the leading cause of central vision loss (blindness) in the United States today for those over the age of fifty years.[1]
Macular degeneration occurs in two forms: dry and wet.
- Dry macular degeneration occurs when the blood vessels under the macula become thin and brittle. Small yellow deposits, called drusen, form under the macula. As these drusen increase in size and number, they create a blurred and dim spot in the central vision of the eye. Almost all people with macular degeneration start with the dry form. It has three stages, all of which may occur in one of both eyes:
- Early dry macular degeneration
- Intermediate dry macular degeneration
- Advanced dry macular degeneration
- Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels behind the retina start to grow under the macula. This is called choroidal neovascularization. These new blood vessels tend to be very fragile and often leak blood and fluid. The blood and fluid raise the macula from its normal place at the back of the eye, which leads to rapid damage of the macula. Although only about 10 percent of people with macular degeneration have this form, it causes most of the vision loss associated with the condition. With wet macular degeneration, loss of central vision can occur quickly, and there are no stages.
All people who have the wet form had the dry form first. Both the wet form and the advanced dry form are considered advanced macular degeneration, and vision loss occurs with either form.
What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?
An early symptom of wet AMD is that straight lines appear wavy. If you notice this condition or other changes to your vision, contact your eye care professional at once. You need a comprehensive dilated eye exam.
The most common symptom of dry AMD is slightly blurred vision. You may have difficulty recognizing faces. You may need more light for reading and other tasks. Dry AMD generally affects both eyes, but vision can be lost in one eye while the other eye seems unaffected.
What are the causes of macular degeneration?
Who is at risk for macular degeneration?
How to know you have macular degeneration?
When to seek urgent medical care
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for macular degeneration
Directions to Hospitals Treating macular degeneration
Prevention of macular degeneration
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001000.htm
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts.asp
- ↑ de Jong PT (2006). "Age-related macular degeneration". N Engl J Med. 355 (14): 1474–1485. PMID 17021323.