Macular Degeneration

What Is Macular Degeneration?

Put simply, it’s a breakdown of an eye’s macula. The macula is actually part of the retina towards the back of the eye. The macula is primarily responsible for much of your central vision which allows you to see fine details like small print, fine lines, etc. Over time, when the macula wears down, vision problems start occurring.

There are actually two forms of macular degeneration – wet and dry. The dry form is characterized by the thinning of macula tissues caused by the formation of tiny fatty proteins called drusen in the retina. The wet form involves the growth of unusual blood vessels in the retina which leads to more noticeable, sharp vision loss. Either form can cause major issues if left untreated.

The following is a partial list of symptoms to watch out for:

• Blank or blurry spots in your central vision
• Hazy vision
• Difficulty in recognizing faces
• Objects’ size appears different to each eye
• Colors start losing their brightness

You should definitely talk to your ophthalmologist or optometrist if you start experiencing any of the above, or other sudden, changes related to your eyesight.

As previously noted, age is the main cause of macular degeneration. However, there are other risk factors that can also contribute to this condition.

• Heredity – Someone with a family history of this condition is more likely to develop it themselves.
• Hypertension / cholesterol – Keeping optimal blood pressure and cholesterol levels help your heart as well as your eyes.
• Smoking – Smokers are more likely to get this ailment versus non-smokers.