Diseases

Macular Degeneration

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Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss, affecting more than 10 million americans – more than cataracts and glaucoma combined. At present, macular degeneration is considered an incurable eye disease.

SYMPTOMS

Visual: partial loss of vision, abnormality where straight lines appear wavy, blurred vision, distorted vision, inability to see in dim light, or seeing spotsalso common: new and abnormal blood vessels

CAUSES

Macular degeneration is caused by the deterioration of the central portion of the retina, the inside back layer of the eye that records the images we see and sends them via the optic nerve from the eye to the brain. The retina’s central portion, known as the macula, is responsible for focusing central vision in the eye, and it controls our ability to read, drive a car, recognize faces or colors, and see objects in fine detail.