Macular degeneration is an eye disorder that mainly affects people over the age of 50, and is the leading cause of vision loss among seniors in the United States. It is estimated that 11 million people in the United States have some form of macular degeneration.

The macula is the small, central area of the retina. The retina is the light-detecting layer of tissue at the back of the eye. It is responsible for your central vision, allowing you to read, recognize faces, and other detailed vision tasks. Macular degeneration is a degenerative condition that causes the macula to deteriorate over time. As this deterioration occurs, central vision can become blurred or absent, making everyday tasks such as reading, driving, or recognizing faces much more difficult. In some cases, the deterioration can be so severe that the person loses their central vision completely.

Macular degeneration has two main forms: dry and wet. The dry form is the most common form, and it occurs when the retina's light-detecting cells gradually break down. This causes the central vision to become increasingly blurry. In the wet form, which is less common, abnormal blood vessels underneath the retina can leak blood and fluid. This leakage can cause blind spots in your central vision.

There is currently no cure for macular degeneration, but there are treatment options available to slow or stop the progression of the disease and maintain your vision. These treatments include laser therapy, photodynamic therapy, and anti-VEGF intravitreal injections. Eating a healthy diet, avoiding smoking, and using sunglasses routinely when outside can also help protect your eyes from further degeneration.

Macular degeneration doesn’t have to mean an end to your vision, but it is important to catch the disease and start treatment early, before too much damage occurs. If you are over the age of 50 and you experience any symptoms of macular degeneration, it’s important to make an appointment with an eye doctor as soon as possible. With early detection and the right treatments, you can slow or stop the progression of the disease and maintain your vision.