Age Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Age-related macular degeneration is the age-related loss of central vision experienced by some older adults. Symptoms include blurred vision, distorted vision or dark spots.
There are two types of macular degeneration:
Dry macular degeneration – occurs when the macula tissue (central part of the retina which is the part you use to look directly at an object) thins and creates a gradual loss of vision. This is a wear and tear type condition for which there is unfortunately no cure.
Wet macular degeneration – the more severe form, occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow into the retina. These may leak and cause scarring of the retina and cause severe loss of central vision. In some cases using a laser to seal the blood vessels before they leak may treat this.
In both cases, central vision is affected by macular degeneration, but often peripheral vision remains intact, so patients retain some useful vision.
