You may have heard of macular degeneration. It is a very common eye disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It can lead to blindness if left untreated.
Macular degeneration is a condition in which the macula, a small area at the back of the eye, becomes damaged and loses its function. The macula is responsible for sharp central vision and color perception. As it deteriorates, a person with macular degeneration will lose the ability to read, drive or see objects clearly.
Macular degenerative diseases include age related macular degeneration (AMD) and wet macular degeneration. AMD is the most common form of macular degeneration.
Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina. This causes the retina to become thickened, leading to a loss of vision. Wet macular degeneration is also called neovascular macular degeneration.
Wet macular degenerative disease is often confused with diabetic retinopathy. However, wet macular degeneration is not caused by diabetes.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), on the other hand, is caused by damage to the macula due to aging. Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of visual impairment in older adults.
Macular degenerations are usually diagnosed by an eye doctor. Your doctor may recommend a test called fluorescein angiography to diagnose wet macular degeneration. This procedure uses dye injected into the body to help visualize the blood vessels in the retina.
If you have any of the symptoms of macular degeneration, your doctor may recommend a dilated fundus examination, an ultrasound, and/or an MRI. These tests will be performed to determine whether there is any other underlying cause for your vision loss.
There are two types of age-related macular degeneration: dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration is more common. It is characterized by the formation of drusen beneath the macula, which is a yellowish deposit. As this process progresses, the retina begins to thicken and vision decreases.
Dry macular degeneration is usually found in patients over the age of 60.
Wet maculopathies are much rarer. They are characterized by abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina. This can occur in both the dry and wet forms.
Wet macule degeneration is generally found in younger individuals. It is also known as neovascular macular degenerations.
Symptoms of macular degeneration include blurred or distorted vision, difficulty seeing in dim light, and the inability to see faces.
Treatment for macular degeneration is usually done to slow down the progression of the disease. In some cases, treatment may even restore sight.
