Macular Degeneration

 

Causes of Macular Degeneration

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The exact reason for macular degeneration is not known, however the risk of the disease increases with age and is most often found in people over 65.

 

Other factors that can cause macular degeneration are: race (Caucasians are more prone to this disease), family history, an unhealthy diet and smoking. Cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol levels both increase the risk of macular degeneration.

 

What is Macular Degeneration?

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Macular degeneration, also known as Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the loss of the central field of vision, or what you see directly in front of you. This is caused by deterioration of the macula, a sensitive part of the retina which is made up of millions of light sensing cells which gather the images. When the macula is damaged, the central vision becomes unclear, blurry or fuzzy.

 

The two types of Macular Degeneration are: Dry AMD and Wet AMD. Dry macular degeneration is the more common form and less severe of the two types. In dry macular degeneration, the retinal cells in the macula begin to degenerate or break down resulting in the thinning of the macula. These cells are the key support to other cells that gather the images and transmit them to the brain. When these retinal cells begin to die, the image transmitted to the brain in unclear. Progression of this type is slow and may take years to become severe.Some symptoms of dry macular degeneration are fuzzy central vision, need for more light to read, poor contrast, distorted images and development of a blind spot in the centre of vision. Onset of symptoms is gradual. Wet macular degeration is characterized by the abnormal growth of blood vessels under the retina at the back of the eye. These blood vessels are very porous, leaking blood and fluid under the macula. Symptoms of wet macular degeneration are the same as dry macular degeneration however, the onset is rapid.