Macular Degeneration or Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Macular degeneration or age related macular degeneration is a degenerative disease of the retina that causes progressive loss of vision in the center of the eye. There are two types of age-related macular degeneration, dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration results when yellow-white deposits called drusen accumulate under the macula, which is the central portion of the retina. Scientists don’t know exactly why this occurs. In wet macular degeneration, abnormal blood vessel growth forms under the macula and leaks fluid damaging photoreceptor cells. Wet age-related macular degeneration can progress rapidly and cause serious damage. If macular degeneration is caught early, however, laser surgery may be able to prevent extensive vision loss – Low Vision. The risk of developing macular degeneration increases with age and the disease is the most common cause of vision loss in people over the age of 55, particularly women. While macular degeneration significantly reduces vision, age-related macular degeneration does not cause total blindness. People describe macular degeneration as having a spot or blurry space in the middle of their vision that interferes with daily tasks like reading and driving. The term macular degeneration generally refers to age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD) although macular degeneration can occur at a youthful age.
Typical reading solutions for macular degeneration are desktop magnifiers.
Also See:
Glaucoma
Diabetic Retinopathy
Retinitis Pigmentosa
Cataracts
