| Macular degeneration is the deterioration of the | | | | vessels often leak blood and fluid under the |
| macula in the eye. The macula is a tiny structure | | | | macula. This can lead to permanent damage of |
| in the middle of the retina that is responsible for | | | | the macular region. |
| central vision. | | | | Causes The cause of Adult Macular Degeneration |
| The retina is a tissue that lines the back of the | | | | at this time is not known, although several risk |
| eye and sends visual signals to the brain. Macular | | | | factors for AMD include: Age, family history of |
| degeneration causes a gradual destruction of | | | | AMD, and smoking may place you at an increased |
| sharp, central vision. Macular degeneration is | | | | risk. |
| primarily a disease of aging, and is most | | | | In some people, macular degeneration advances |
| commonly seen in Senior citizens. | | | | so slowly that it has little effect on their vision. |
| Adult, or age-related, Macular Degeneration occurs | | | | But in others, the disease progresses faster and |
| in two forms: | | | | may lead to significant vision loss. Both dry and |
| Dry AMD Ninety percent of all people with AMD | | | | wet AMD cause no pain. |
| have this type. An area of the retina becomes | | | | Although there are some symptoms such as |
| diseased, leading to the slow breakdown of cells in | | | | blurred vision, or seeing straight lines as crooked, |
| the macula, and a gradual loss of central vision. | | | | there are no guidelines for prevention because the |
| Wet AMD Although only 10 percent of all people | | | | cause is still unknown. To help you prevent AMD, |
| with AMD have this type, it accounts for the | | | | you should have a comprehensive check-up to |
| majority of all blindness from the disease. As dry | | | | include dilation, not smoke and consider taking a |
| AMD worsens, new blood vessels may begin to | | | | multivitamin with antioxidants every day. |
| grow and cause wet AMD. These new blood | | | | |