Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition affecting the macula ,part of the retina,at the back of the eye.
AMD causes problems with central vision but doesn’t lead to total sight loss and is not painful. It affects the vision used looking directly at something, for example reading, looking at photos or watching television.
AMD may make this central vision distorted or blurry and over a period of time it may cause a blank patch in the centre of vision. Age-related macular degeneration is a deterioration or breakdown of the eye’s macula. The macula is the light-sensitive lining the back of the eye and is used to see fine details clearly
The macula only makes up a small part of the retina yet is much more sensitive to detail than the rest of it which is called the peripheral retina. The macula is what allows us to thread a needle, read small print, and read street signs. The peripheral retina gives you side (or peripheral) vision. If someone is standing off to one side of your vision, your peripheral retina helps you know that person is there by allowing you to see their general shape.
Many older people develop macular degeneration as part of the body’s natural aging process. There are different kinds of macular problems, but the most common is age-related macular degeneration.
