Macular degeneration is a medical condition which affects the centre of the inner lining of the eye. This area, known as the macula of the retina undergoes thinning and in some cases leads to bleeding. In other words, this is a disease that destroys your sharp, central vision. You need central vision to see objects clearly and to do tasks such as reading and driving.
Often called AMD or ARMD, this condition is predominantly seen in elderly adults. In some cases, AMD advances so slowly that people notice little change in their vision. In others, the disease progresses faster and may lead to a loss of vision in both eyes.
Symptoms
- Blurred vision: Those with nonexudative macular degeneration may by asymptomatic or notice a gradual loss of central vision, whereas those with exudative macular degeneration often notice a rapid onset of vision loss.
- Central scotomas (shadows or missing areas of vision
Distorted vision (i.e. metamorphopsia) – A grid of straight lines appears wavy and parts of the grid may appear blank.
Trouble discerning colors; specifically dark ones from dark ones and light ones from light ones. - Slow recovery of visual function after exposure to bright light
Diagnosis
Macular degeneration is diagnosed as either dry (non-neovascular) or wet (neovascular). Neovascular refers to growth of new blood vessels in an area, such as the macula, where they are not supposed to be. The dry form is more common than the wet, with about 85%-90% of AMD patients diagnosed with dry AMD. The wet form of the disease usually leads to more serious vision loss.
Treatment
Treatments for macular degeneration depend on whether the disease is in its early stage or dry form or more advanced, wet form that can lead to serious vision loss. Treatment however does not involve restoration of vision.
