General Information
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that affects central vision. It is caused by the deterioration of the macula, the central part of the retina that is essential for sharp, central vision. It is here that visual information is collected and then sent on to the brain for processing. Macular degeneration affects 1.8 million Americans, and is expected to increase to 2.9 million cases by 2020.
Symptoms of macular degeneration include:
- Painless loss of central vision
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty seeing fine details clearly
- Straight lines may appear bent
Risk Factors for macular degeneration can include:
- Caucasian race
- Cigarette smoking
- Aging
- Family history
- Female gender
- Obesity
- Chronic kidney disease
How is macular degeneration diagnosed?
Macular degeneration is diagnosed by a complete eye examination by an ophthalmologist. Testing could include:
- Visual acuity testing
- Retinal examination
Stay Informed