Macular Degeneration

Reduced central vision so objects are best seen when your gaze is directed slightly to one or other side. Vision may appear distorted or it may seem as though something is blocking the central vision.

How common is it?

This is the most frequent cause of poor sight in Britain judging from the number of people registered blind or partially sighted. It is commoner in older people and then is often known as age related macular degeneration. The macula is the central part of the retina. It is the most sensitive area because there is the maximum concentration of 'cone' light sensing cells present and a relatively poor blood supply. These two factors make the macula particularly susceptible to degenerative problems.

What are the two main types of macular degeneration?

The commonest type is often called the 'dry' type because it is not associated with any leakage or abnormal blood vessels. It tends to progressive slowly or not at all. In effect dry macular degeneration is an atrophic scar caused by a lack of light sensitive cells at the macula. Direct treatment is not usually possible so magnifiers are often the best solution. The 'wet' form is more sudden in onset and can progress more quickly. It may be associated with leakage in the macular part of the retina causing fluid to build up like a blister. The retina becomes stretched and this results in visual distortion

Is early diagnosis helpful?

It is sometimes possible to treat early cases with laser. This requires early diagnosis and so it is important to recognise the early symptoms such as:distortion objects seeming to be smaller than normal a stationary grey or dark blob in the visual field (unlike a floater that moves about).