Macular Degeneration Macular Degeneration (Age-Related Macular Degeneration-AMD) is the breakdown or damage of the macular, the area of the eye that allows you to see fine details clearly and perform activities such as reading and driving. AMD usually does not affect side or peripheral vision.

Can damaged macula be repaired?

A macular hole can often be repaired using an operation called a vitrectomy. The operation is successful in closing the hole in around 9 out of 10 people who’ve had the hole for less than 6 months. If the hole has been present for a year or longer, the success rate will be lower.

What are macular problems?

Dry macular degeneration is a common eye disorder among people over 50. It causes blurred or reduced central vision, due to thinning of the macula (MAK-u-luh). The macula is the part of the retina responsible for clear vision in your direct line of sight.

What is disabling macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration is a condition which affects the central part of the retina, the macula. The macula is the part of the eye which allows us to see things in detail. When macular degeneration becomes severe enough, it impairs: Your ability to read.

What causes macular mottling?

Your eye doctor will put drops in your eyes to dilate them and use a special instrument to examine the back of your eye. He or she will look for a mottled appearance that’s caused by drusen – yellow deposits that form under the retina. People with macular degeneration often have many drusen.

Can u drive with macular degeneration?

Having macular degeneration does not automatically mean you have to stop driving. Many people still meet the legal requirements and can continue to drive safely and legally.

Is someone with macular degeneration legally blind?

People with very advanced macular degeneration are considered legally blind. Even so, since the rest of the retina is still working, they retain their peripheral vision (or side vision). At present, Macular Degeneration is considered an incurable eye disease though some treatments do exist.

Can macular disease cause blurred vision?

Other macular diseases that cause distortions are macular pucker and macular hole. These tend to occur in people who are a bit younger, in their 50’s and 60’s. If there is a disease that results in leaky blood vessels, then there can be blurred vision.

What is wet macular degeneration?

There are two types of macular degeneration ; dry AMD and wet AMD. Wet AMD features the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the macula. These blood vessels disturb the structure of the macula causing distortions in vision. Sometime these abnormal blood vessels rupture causing bleeding, and the blood creates a central blind spot.

How do I know if I have macular distortion?

Some disturb the structure of the macula, which causes distortions in the central vision. Looking at linear venetian blinds, a picket fence, or any object with straight edges can determine if you have distortions. Remember to test only one eye at time and use your glasses if you wear any.

What is vision loss from a macular pucker?

Vision loss from a macular pucker can vary from no loss to severe loss, although severe vision loss is uncommon. People with a macular pucker may notice that their vision is blurry or mildly distorted, and straight lines can appear wavy. They may have difficulty in seeing fine detail and reading small print.