Vision Centre

Macula Degeneration

The macula is a part of the retina (a layer of tissue on the back of the eye) which is responsible for central vision.  Age related macula degeneration or (AMD) is an ageing process in the eye. Layers of the retina can thicken or thin and waste material (which is usually removed) can form deposits, which distort the retina. This distortion can then cause damage to the other layers of the retina. In some cases new blood vessels can grow into the macula from beneath. These newly formed vessels are fragile, and often leak blood into the retina, where it causes scar tissue to form or haemorrhages. This scarring blocks out central vision and can cause blindness.

Patients with AMD may notice that their vision has deteriorated, fine details of objects become hard to see, straight lines may be wavy o distorted. Many patients do not realise that they have a problem until their vision becomes affected.

During your visit to the Eye Specialist you may have your pupils dilated so that the internal structures of the eye can be inspected and observed for early signs of AMD. Patients can also monitor their own vision changes with an Amsler Grid. This is a regular grid like graph paper. Patients with changes in their vision due to AMD may report that sections or lines of the grid are distorted. There are two different types of macula degeneration.

• Dry Macula Degeneration
• Wet Macula Degeneration
• Macular Degeneration Foundation