Macular degeneration is a disease caused when the macula (a part of the retina) becomes damaged. This causes issues with your central vision, meaning that you lose definition in the middle of your eyesight but the peripheral vision remains normal. For example, you might be able to look at a clock and see the numbers around the outside but the hands might be blurred or completely blocked.
There are two forms, dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration. There is also a type of juvenile macular degeneration, known as Stargardt disease.
Macular degeneration usually affects those aged 50+ (with those over 65 most at risk). Dry macular degeneration is the most common (90% of cases). It’s often referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) because it tends to progress as we age. The dry form of AMD is very common and is one of the leading causes of vision impairment if left unchecked or treated.
While common, dry AMD often doesn’t progress. But in 10% of people, it can deteriorate into wet AMD. This is when new, abnormal blood vessels form behind the retina and lead blood and fluid into the eye. In such cases, laser surgery can be effective in halting the progression of the disease.
