Coping with MACULAR DEGENERATION

This common eye condition causes damage to part of the retina and reduces vision

- 

At the centre of the retina, the macula is responsible for central vision, most colour vision and fine detail. Its high concentration of photoreceptor cells detect light, sending signals to the brain.

Macular degeneration (age-related macular degeneration or AMD) affects the central visual field in one or both eyes, usually in people aged over 50. The cause is unclear, although it’s more common in smokers, those with high blood pressure or who are overweight or who have an AMD family history. It affects central, not peripheral, vision and though it doesn’t usually result in total blindness, it causes problems with everyday activities like reading, watching television and facial recognition.

There are two main types. Dry AMD is caused by a build-up of waste material under the macula, causing deterioration of the macular cells over many years as the retinal cells die and aren’t renewed. There's currently no treatment; vision aids help but around 15% of people with dry AMD go on to develop wet AMD. In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow into the macula, leaking blood or fluid, causing scarring and rapid central vision loss. Wet AMD can develop suddenly, but can be treated if caught early by urgent hospital specialist management.