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The leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Americans over the age of 65 is a disease called macular degeneration. The symptoms of the disease appear slowly and painlessly, but can be devastating to vision if left unchecked. There is currently no known cure for macular degeneration, though there are a myriad of treatment options available to prevent its slow progression, and even improve vision once the disease takes hold.

What is Macular Degeneration and What Causes It?

Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is an eye disease that slowly destroys central vision and, if left untreated, can lead to blindness. Macular degeneration is primarily caused by aging, although other causes of macular degeneration have been noted, including smoking, hereditary factors, obesity, and inactivity. Learn more about the causes of macular degeneration.

Macular Degeneration Symptoms

Patients with macular degeneration most often experience shadowy or blurred vision, eventually leading to a blind spot in their central vision. Another characteristic of the disease is vision impairment that causes straight lines to appear crooked. Macular degeneration symptoms vary based on the severity of the disease and individual factors. Learn more about the symptoms of macular degeneration.

How is Macular Degeneration Diagnosed?

Macular degeneration can be diagnosed in its earliest stage during an examination by an eye care professional. Yellow spots in the area of the patient's macula indicate that the condition is present. These spots, called drusen, are debris from deteriorating tissue in the eye. More developed cases of macular degeneration are diagnosed through the use of the Amsler grid, a tool that allows an eye care professional to gauge how accurate a patient’s vision is. If anomalies are detected, a physician can order a fluorescein angiography to examine the blood vessels in the eye. Learn more about macular degeneration diagnosis.

Types of Macular Degeneration

There are two types of macular degeneration: wet (neovascular) and dry (non-neovascular). The dry form is the more common type, accounting for as much as 90 percent of all cases. The wet form, on the other hand, is a less common, more advanced type of the disease. Both wet macular degeneration and dry macular degeneration have similar symptoms and causes. Currently, however, macular degeneration treatment options are limited to treating sufferers of the wet type. Learn more about the types of macular degeneration.

Macular Degeneration Progression

Macular degeneration begins in the dry form, as the eye tissue begins to deteriorate and decay. As the name suggests, the disease advances as the tissue degenerates, progressively decaying over time. The wet, or neovascular, form of macular degeneration occurs when the body responds to this decay and attempts to replenish lost nourishment in the eye by creating new blood vessels. These blood vessels leak blood and fluid, causing permanent damage to light-sensitive retinal cells, creating blind spots. Approximately ten percent of dry AMD cases progress to the wet form. Read more about the macular degeneration stages of progression.

Macular Degeneration Treatment

Several macular degeneration treatment options are available to help individuals with the wet type of the disease. Most of these treatments are designed to slow the progression of the disease. Others are able to at least partially restore vision in some patients. Additionally, the type of treatment planned for those who suffer from macular degeneration depends on the severity of the disease and other personal factors. What is important to remember about macular degeneration treatment planning is that every patient has to work with their doctor to determine which option is right for them. Learn more about macular degeneration treatment options.

Recovery After Macular Degeneration Treatment

Macular degeneration treatment options vary greatly, with just as much variety in the type of recovery period one can expect following the procedure. Most treatments available now revolve around changes in diet and nutrition combined with drug therapy, making the recovery relatively simple. Some cases call for laser surgery, which is performed as an outpatient procedure with minimal recovery time. However, retinal prostheses are in development for early treatment of the disease, which would necessitate a longer recovery time. Learn more about recovery after macular degeneration treatment.

Other Macular Degeneration Information – FAQs

Most people are unfamiliar with macular degeneration and its symptoms and are very anxious to find out as much as possible about the disease. Little is known about the specific causes, and the terminology used to describe the different facets of the disease, making it largely obscure and confusing for many. Visit our macular degeneration FAQ page to learn more.