Age related macular degeneration is a condition that affects the macula, the central vision part of the retina at the back of your eye. The macula is the part of your eye responsible for your central, colour and detailed vision, so its degeneration can cause significant visual problems.
Macular degeneration can affect one or both eyes and typically causes problems with your central vision. You may notice that reading and close work become difficult and there may be blank areas, distortion or a grey or black spot in the centre of your vision.
Your peripheral or ‘side’ vision will usually remain unaffected if you suffer from macular degeneration. This means that even people with severe macular degeneration, whose central vision is badly affected, can usually still carry out daily living activities.
Dry AMD is the most common form of macular degeneration and affects around 85 to 90% of people with AMD. Vision loss is usually gradual.
Wet AMD is the more aggressive form of macular degeneration and can lead to rapid and significant loss of vision. It accounts for 10 to 15% of AMD sufferers. In wet AMD abnormal blood vessels grow underneath the macula. These can leak fluid and blood causing permanent damage to the retina. Symptoms of wet AMD include a reduction of central vision and also distortion of vision which can make straight lines (such as window frames or lines of text) look bent, warped or wavy.
Macular degeneration is generally caused by aging and is more common in people aged 60 and over.
Early detection is the best way to tackle macular degeneration treatment. This can be achieved with regular eye checks especially if you notice changes in your vision.
Macular degeneration can affect one or both eyes and typically causes problems with your central vision. You may notice that reading and close work become difficult and there may be blank areas, distortion or a grey or black spot in the centre of your vision.
Your peripheral or ‘side’ vision will usually remain unaffected if you suffer from macular degeneration. This means that even people with severe macular degeneration, whose central vision is badly affected, can usually still carry out daily living activities.
Dry AMD is the most common form of macular degeneration and affects around 85 to 90% of people with AMD. Vision loss is usually gradual.
Wet AMD is the more aggressive form of macular degeneration and can lead to rapid and significant loss of vision. It accounts for 10 to 15% of AMD sufferers. In wet AMD abnormal blood vessels grow underneath the macula. These can leak fluid and blood causing permanent damage to the retina. Symptoms of wet AMD include a reduction of central vision and also distortion of vision which can make straight lines (such as window frames or lines of text) look bent, warped or wavy.
Macular degeneration is generally caused by aging and is more common in people aged 60 and over.
Early detection is the best way to tackle macular degeneration treatment. This can be achieved with regular eye checks especially if you notice changes in your vision.
