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 Macular degeneration is damage or
breakdown of the macula.
The macula is a small area at the back of the eye that allows
us to see fine details clearly. When the macula does not function
correctly, we experience blurriness or darkness in the center of
our vision. Macular degeneration affects both distance and close
vision, and can make some activities - like threading a needle or
reading - difficult or impossible.
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 the outline of a
clock but not be able to tell what time it is.
Macular degeneration alone does not result in total blindness.
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.
What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration can cause different symptoms in different
people. The condition may be hardly noticeable in its early
stages. Sometimes only one eye loses vision while the other eye
continues to see well for many years.
But when both eyes are affected, the loss of central vision
may be noticed more quickly.
Following are some common ways vision loss is detected:
- Words on a page look blurred
- A dark or empty area appears in the center of vision
- Straight lines took distorted
How is macular degeneration diagnosed?
Many people do not realize that they have a macular problem
until blurred vision becomes obvious. Your ophthalmologist (Eye
M.D.) can detect early stages of macular degeneration during a
medical eye examination that includes the following:
- Viewing the macula with an ophthalmoscope
- A simple vision test in which you look at a grid resembling
graph paper
- Sometimes special photographs, called angiograms, are taken
to find abnormal blood vessels under the retina. Fluorescent dye
is injected into your arm and your eye is photographed as the dye
passes through the blood vessels in the back of the eye
How is macular degeneration treated?
Despite ongoing medical research, there is no cure yet for
"dry" macular degeneration. Some doctors believe that
nutritional supplements may slow macular degeneration, although
this has not yet been proven. Treatment of this condition focuses
on helping a person find ways to cope with visual impairment.
In its early stages "wet" macular degeneration can
be treated with laser surgery, a brief and usually painless
outpatient procedure. Laser surgery uses a highly focused beam of
light to seat the leaking blood vessels that damage the macula.
Although a small, permanently dark "blind spot" is left
at the point of laser contact, the procedure can preserve more
sight overall.
Despite advanced medical treatment, many people with macular
degeneration still experience some vision loss.
Your Eye M.D. can prescribe optical devices or refer you to a
low-vision specialist or center. A wide range of support services
and rehabilitation programs are also available to help people
with macular degeneration maintain a satisfying lifestyle.
Because side vision is usually not affected, a person's
remaining sight can be very useful. Often, people can continue
with many of their favorite activities by using low-vision
optical devices such as magnifying devices, closed-circuit
television, large-print reading materials, and talking or
computerized devices.
Testing your vision with the Amsler grid
You can check your vision
daily by using an Amsler grid like the one pictured here (click
image for actual test page). You may find changes in your vision
that you wouldn't notice otherwise. Putting the grid on the
front of your refrigerator is a good way to remember to look at
it each day.
To use the grid:
1. Wear your reading glasses and hold this grid at 12-15
inches in good light.
2. Cover one eye.
3. Look directly at the center dot with the uncovered eye.
4. While looking directly at the center dot, note whether all
lines of the grid are straight or if any areas are distorted,
blurred or dark.
5. Repeat this procedure with the other eye.
6. If any area of the grid looks wavy, blurred or dark,
contact your Eye M.D. immediately.
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