Macular Degeneration

Watch a video about Macular Degeneration

What is macular degeneration:

Macular degeneration is damage or breakdown of the macula of the eye. The macula is a small area at the back of the eye that allows us to see fine details clearly. Macular degeneration makes close work like threading a needle or reading difficult or impossible.

When the macula doesn't function correctly, we experience blurriness or darkness in the center of our vision. Although macular degeneration reduces vision in the central part of the retina, it does not affect the eye's side, or peripheral vision. For example, you could see a clock but not be able to tell what time it is.

Macular degeneration alone does not result in total blindness. Most people continue to have some useful vision and are able to take care of themselves.

What causes macular degeneration?

Many older people develop macular degeneration as part of the body's natural aging process.

The two most common types of age-related macular degeneration are "dry" (atrophic) and "wet" (exudative):

"Dry" macular degeneration (atrophic)
Most people have "dry" macular degeneration. It is caused by aging and thinning of the tissues of the macula. Vision loss is usually gradual.

"Wet" macular degeneration (exudative)
"Wet" macular degeneration accounts for about 10% of all cases. It results when abnormal blood vessels form 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.

How is macular degeneration treated?

Treatment of the more common "dry" form of macular degeneration focuses on helping a person find ways to cope with visual impairment.

Despite ongoing medical research, there is no cure yet for this condition.

Some doctors believe that nutritional supplements may slow macular degeneration, although this has not yet been proven.

Various low-vision optical devices can help people continue with many of their favorite activities. These devices include:

• Magnifying devices;
• Closed-circuit television;
• Large-print reading materials;
• Talking or computerized devices.

Your ophthalmologist can prescribe optical devices or refer you to our low-vision specialist. Because side vision is usually not affected, a person's remaining sight can be very useful.

A wide range of support services, rehabilitation programs and devices are available to help people with macular degeneration maintain a satisfying lifestyle.

In its early stages "wet" macular degeneration can be treated with laser surgery, a brief and usually painless out-patient procedure. Laser surgery uses a highly focused beam of light to seal the leaking blood vessels that damage the macula.

Although this procedure cannot cure macular degeneration, it can slow the rate of vision loss. Laser surgery leaves a small, permanently dark "blind spot" at the point of laser contact, but the procedure can preserve more sight overall.

People with "wet" macular degeneration can also be helped by low-vision optical devices.