THE TWO FORMS OF MACULAR DEGENERATION AND THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF VISION LOSS

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There are two forms of macular degeneration. Age related macular degeneration is the leading cause of untreated vision loss in aging Western societies. Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe vision loss among the elderly. In macular degeneration, central vision is lost, but peripheral vision almost always remains intact.The macula is located in the center of the retina. It is the area providing the clearest vision. If you look directly at something, the light from that object forms an image on the macula of the retina. The retina is the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, sort of like the electronic pixels in a digital camera or the film in a regular camera. The retina converts light, into electrical impulses and sends these impulses to the brain. Scientists have been searching for ways to prevent and cure this very common and sometimes insidious eye problem.

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There are two forms of macular degeneration. In people with the dry form of macular degeneration, which is more common, the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down, gradually blurring central vision in the affected eye. In the wet form of macular degeneration abnormal blood vessels behind the retina start to grow under the macula. 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.

National Eye Institute on AREDS

Age Related Macular Degeneration: Update for Primary Care