What Is Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that destroys central vision by damaging the macula, a small area at the back of the eye. The macula provides color and the fine detail needed for central vision. AMD makes it increasingly difficult to read, drive and recognize faces.

There are two types of AMD – wet and dry. Dry AMD is the most common form, and it develops slowly and does not usually cause severe vision loss. In dry AMD, cells and blood vessels beneath the macula break down and cause deposits in the back of the eye called drusen. This damages the macula and affects its ability to send signals to the brain. Central vision slowly becomes dimmer or more blurry over time. Wet AMD is much less common but far more aggressive than dry AMD. Wet AMD can cause permanent damage to the macula over months or even weeks and often occurs where dry AMD already exists. Abnormal, fragile blood vessels grow in the back of the eye. These blood vessels leak, causing the macula to break down. They also move the macula from its normal place at the back of the eye, distorting central vision.