Also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), this
condition is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in
adults over 50 years of age. The incidence of AMD in persons
over 65 years of age is 10 percent and increases to more than 28
percent in those over 75 years old. Cases in the United States
are predicted to rise from 2.7 million in 1970 to more than 7.5
million by the year 2030. Approximately 20 percent of new cases
of blindness in the United States are due to AMD. Age-related
macular degeneration refers to a degeneration of the macular
disk-the portion of the retina of the eye responsible for
precise vi sion. Age-related macular degeneration destroys
central vision and affects the ability to read or do close work,
to drive, and to differentiate colors and faces. A classic early
symptom of AMD is a person complaining that door frames appear
bent or wavy. The condition can often be aggravated by high
blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.1 A major focus
of research on AMD over the last