Macular degeneration (MD) is an eye disorder affecting more than 13 million Americans, and is generally considered to be irreversible. In fact, more people are affected by MD than by glaucoma and cataracts combined. It is the leading cause of blindness in those over the age of 55, with a new case of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) diagnosed every three minutes. (Age-related macular degeneration is a term used for the disorder when it affects people over the age of 60.) The cause of MD is not known, but the condition runs in families, and it likely has a genetic component. It affects an equal number of women and men, but seems to be more common among Caucasians than African-Americans.

Macular degeneration refers to the breakdown of the macula – the central portion of the retina. The function of the retina is to receive visual images, to partially analyze them and transmit the information to the brain. The macula contains the most concentrated collection of light-sensing nerves in the retina and is responsible for producing the most critical aspects of vision. There is a rich supply of blood vessels that carry oxygen and important nutrients to the retina that are required for healthy vision, and disruption of this vasculature can be a contributing factor in MD. The retina has no pain nerve fibers, therefore most diseases that affect the retina do not cause pain.

There are actually two forms of MD. The first, atrophic or dry MD, results from a gradual breakdown and degeneration of critical photoreceptors in the eye that provide night vision and visual acuity. The second, exudative or wet MD, is caused by leaks in the blood vessels of the retina. The bleeding causes scarring and retinal tissue death. About 80 to 85 percent of those with MD have the atrophic form; but most cases of severe vision loss can be attributed to the exudative form. About 10 percent of those with dry MD will also develop the wet form.

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