Macular Degeneration

The macula, an area of the retina at the back of the eye, enables you to see fine details and to have central vision.  Vision loss due to degeneration of the macula usually affects both eyes. 

There are two types of macular degeneration:  wet and dry.  Wet macular degeneration occurs when the blood vessels leak underneath the retina near the macula.  Dry macular degeneration, the most common type of macular degeneration, occurs when the macula tissues thin, or yellow deposits called drusen are formed.

The main cause of macular degeneration is yet unknown, but it is known that women develop the condition more than men, and Caucasians develop the disease more frequently than African Americans.

Early treatment of macular degeneration could be as simple as change in diet, vision monitoring, and nutritional supplements.  However, for extreme cases of wet macular degeneration, laser treatments and injections may be useful.