WHAT IS MACULAR DEGENERATION?
Macular degeneration (MD) is the collective term for over 1,500 conditions which affect central vision by damage to the macula, a small area of the retina at the back of the eye. It is estimated that there are over 500,000 people with macular conditions in the UK. Macular degeneration is the most common form of visual impairment in the UK and throughout the developed world.
The retina is a very thin tissue that lines the back of the eye and contains the light-sensing cells that send visual signals to the brain. Sharp, clear central vision is processed by the macula (also sometimes called the fovea) which is a circular patch in the central part of the retina and is about the size of a grain of barley.
MD occurs when the layer of the retina responsible for nourishing the macula's light sensitive rod and cone cells, and for carrying away waste products, starts to function less effectively as it ages.
Cells in the macula break down, causing loss of sight in the central part of the field of vision but leaving the side vision, known as peripheral vision, unaffected.
Although the breakdown of macular cells may not begin until later in life, long-term awareness and preventative measures should begin much earlier.
Our members fall into two groups; those who have Age Related Macular Degeneration (typically aged 65+) and those with some form of Macular Dystrophy which can effect young children through to much older.
The condition develops in one or both eyes and often begins with small distortions in vision. It advances to a state in which there is no central vision. It is important to check your vision regularly (e.g. by look at an Amsler Grid), using one eye at a time.
Using the Grid: Hold the grid at eye level about 30cm from your eyes, wearing your usual reading glasses but not varifocals. Cover one eye at a time and focus on the central dot. If any of the lines on the chart appear wavy, broken or distorted or if you see blurred or missing areas of vision you should contact your optician or eye doctor immediately.
Although people do not lose all their sight, reading, recognition of faces, driving, watching television and colour definition become impossible.
MD occurs in two forms "Wet" form and "Dry" Form. The two forms have very different causes and it is possible to have Dry MD then develop Wet MD in the same eye. Dry MD, in which the cells of the macula decay and disintegrate. There is currently no cure or reliable treatment for this condition. The second form, Wet MD, is more aggressive in its development. It is caused by the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina which can leak and lead to scarring and loss of central vision.
Often macular degeneration is known as a condition affecting older people. Whilst the age-related form of MD is the most common form of MD, there are many other forms of MD which are rarer and affect younger people, including children of school age. Examples of these being Stargardt's, Best's, Myopic MD and there are many others.
Click here for further information about treatment of Wet MD / Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV).
The Macular Disease Society (MDS)
If you would like to join MDS or have queries about macular disease, contact the Helpline on 0845 241 2041.  | 
