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AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration is an eye disease that causes progressive loss of central vision. The disease eventually results in a loss of central, "straight-ahead" vision. Macular degeneration is characterized by a breakdown of the macula. The sensitive macula is the central portion of the retina that makes central vision and visual acuity possible. When people look directly at something, the macula allows them to see the fine details. This sharp, straight-ahead vision is necessary for driving, reading, recognizing faces, and doing close work, such as sewing.

Symptoms of AMD

Older adults who have macular degeneration usually first notice that straight lines, such as telephone poles, or sentences on a page, seem blurry or fuzzy. With macular degeneration, print appears distorted and segments of words may be missing. As the disease progresses central vision decreases resulting in a perception of a dark or empty area in the center of the vision field. The peripheral or side vision remains unaffected.

The most common AMD symptoms are: