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Etiology - Macular degeneration is caused by a combination of things that damage the macula (point of best vision). A few of these factors include aging, smoking, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity. However, aging is the biggest factor, as those 60+ are at the highest risk for macular degenaration.
Symptoms - Blurry/cloudy vision, dark spots in your central vision, faded colors, and straight lines may appear wavy.
Details - In medical circles, macular degeneration is often referred to as AMD (age-related macular degeneration) and can be a real threat to compromising a person's central vision. There are two types of macular degeneration: Dry AMD and Wet AMD. Dry AMD is much more common, less severe, and is prompted by the thinning of the macula and presence of drusen (yellow deposits of proteins/fats). Wet AMD is much rarer, more severe, and is caused by abnormal retinal blood vessel growth that damages the macula.
Treatment - There is no current cure for macular degeneration, but there are treatments that can help slow its negative effects. For Dry AMD, these treatments include lifestyle improvements such as increased exercise and a refined diet, whereas for Wet AMD they involve more aggressive approaches like eye injections or active therapy.
Visual representations of Dry AMD and Wet AMD
Photo Creds: Cleveland Clinic
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