Macular DegenerationThe retina of the eye serves a function similar to that of the film in a camera. The macula is the central part of the retina, and is the part of the retina which forms the center of the "picture" and the sharpest image. Degeneration or breakdown of the macula may come from many causes. Some cases are hereditary, and others are caused by diseases such as arteriosclerosis. The course of the deterioration may be slow or rapid; however, the patient generally keeps good peripheral vision—that is, he or she can still see well around the edges of the visual field, although the central vision is blurred. The most common form of this condition occurs in the elderly. In severe
form this is called "age-related macular degeneration" (AMD),
which occurs mostly in people over fifty years old. While a person with
macular degeneration may retain substantial peripheral vision, the ability
to read, sew, or drive may be seriously impaired. Some type of magnification
may help. A small percentage of cases of a rare form of AMD may be candidates
for laser treatment to seal off blood vessels which have grown beneath
the retina or to repair the macula's weak spots by removing worn-out tissue
and allowing new tissue growth. |