Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common
causes of poor vision after age 60. AMD is a deterioration or
breakdown of the macula. The macula is a small area at the
center of the retina in the back of the eye that allows us to
see fine details clearly and perform activities such as reading
and driving. The visual symptoms of AMD involve loss of central
vision. While peripheral (side) vision is unaffected, with AMD,
one loses the sharp, straight-ahead vision necessary for
driving, reading, recognizing faces, and looking at detail.
Although the specific cause is unknown, AMD seems to be part of
aging. While age is the most significant risk factor for
developing AMD, heredity, blue eyes, high blood pressure,
cardiovascular disease, and smoking have also been identified as
risk factors. AMD accounts for 90% of new cases of legal
blindness in the United States. Nine out of 10 people who have
AMD have atrophic or “ dry” AMD, which results in thinning of
the macula. Dry AMD takes many years to d