| Macular degeneration | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Age-related macular degeneration |
 | |
| Picture of the back of the eye showing intermediate age-related macular degeneration | |
| Specialty | Ophthalmology |
| Symptoms | Blurred or no vision in the center of the visual field[1] |
| Complications | Visual hallucinations[1] |
| Usual onset | Older people[1] |
| Types | Early, intermediate, late[1] |
| Causes | Damage to the macula of the retina[1] |
| Risk factors | Genetics, smoking[1] |
| Diagnostic method | Eye examination[1] |
| Prevention | Exercising, eating well, not smoking[1] |
| Treatment | Anti-VEGF medication injected into the eye, laser coagulation, photodynamic therapy[1] |
| Frequency | 6.2 million (2015)[2] |
Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD), is a medical condition which may result in blurred or no vision in the center of the visual field.[1] Early on there are often no symptoms.[1] Over time, however, some people experience a gradual worsening of vision that may affect one or both eyes.[1] While it does not result in complete blindness, loss of central vision can make it hard to recognize faces, drive, read, or perform other activities of daily life.[1] Visual hallucinations may also occur but these do not represent a mental illness.[1]
Macular degeneration typically occurs in older people.[1] Genetic factors and smoking also play a role.[1] It is due to damage to the macula of the retina.[1] Diagnosis is by a complete eye exam.[1] The severity is divided into early, intermediate, and late types.[1] The late type is additionally divided into "dry" and "wet" forms with the dry form making up 90% of cases.[1][3]
Preventive efforts include exercising, eating well, and not smoking.[1] There is no cure or treatment that returns vision already lost.[1] In the wet form, anti-VEGF medication injected into the eye or less commonly laser coagulation or photodynamic therapy may slow worsening.[1] Antioxidant vitamins and minerals do not appear to be useful for prevention.[4] However, dietary supplements may slow the progression in those who already have the disease.[5]
In 2015 it affected 6.2 million people globally.[2] In 2013 it was the fourth most common cause of blindness after cataracts, preterm birth, and glaucoma.[6] It most commonly occurs in people over the age of fifty and in the United States is the most common cause of vision loss in this age group.[1][3] About 0.4% of people between 50 and 60 have the disease, while it occurs in 0.7% of people 60 to 70, 2.3% of those 70 to 80, and nearly 12% of people over 80 years old.[3]