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.

More information about Macula Degeneration:

Macular degeneration is a disease which involves the back of the eye and there are two types - dry and wet.

The dry version of macular degeneration develops first. In some cases the condition progresses to become wet macular degeneration.

In the absence of treatment, wet macular degeneration can result in severe central vision loss, which will affect everyday things such as driving, shopping, managing money, preparing meals, housework, using the phone and reading. Both near-vision and distance-vision activities can be affected.

Today, treatments for wet macular degeneration can prevent vision from deteriorating further and in some cases will even improve it. Early detection and treatment are therefore important.

Wet macular degeneration can have other effects on people too. For example; up to 30% of people with age-related macular degeneration suffer from clinical depression. Common worries include concerns about the future and how they will cope if their eyesight gets worse.

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