Macular degeneration is a deterioration or breakdown of the macula. The macula is a small area in the retina at the back of the eye that allows you to see fine details clearly and perform activities such as reading and driving. When the macula does not function correctly, blurriness, dark areas or distortion can affect your central vision. Macular degeneration affects your ability to see near and far, and can make some activities — like threading a needle or reading — difficult or impossible.

Many older people develop macular degeneration as part of the body's natural aging process. There are 2 types of macular problems, Dry and Wet forms. Approximately 90% of patients have the Dry form which progresses slowly. Vitamins may slow the progression in 20-25% of patients. The Wet form occurs in approximately 10% of patients and can cause bleeding and sudden loss of vision. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe vision loss in Caucasians over 65.

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. 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 look distorted

The Wet form of macular degeneration can be treated with laser surgery, a brief outpatient procedure. Photodynamic therapy combines laser and intravenous medicine to slow or stop leaking blood vessels that damage the macula. This procedure may preserve more sight overall, though it is not a cure that will restore vision to normal.

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