Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in those over 55. This degenerative condition is related to the macula, the center of the retina. It is responsible for acute vision, focusing, reading, driving and fine work. There are two types of macular degeneration, Wet and Dry. Most are afflicted with the dry or atrophic type. Between 70-90 per cent of those with the condition have the dry. In this type, the macula atrophies or thins out and vision is lost. Most times one eye is affected but both eyes eventually are affected. The wet type causes 90 percent of its sufferers to lose their vision. Abnormal blood vessels within and beneath the retina begin to bleed and leak fluid. These become opaque and ultimately scar tissue forms.