Macular degeneration

Rare card · No. 37200

Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD), is an eye disease of the macula, the small central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed central vision. It mainly affects older adults and can make tasks like reading, driving, recognizing faces, or seeing fine details difficult. Wet-form AMD is when abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula and leak fluid or blood, damaging the retina and causing rapid loss of central vision. Dry-form AMD is when the macula gradually thins and small deposits called drusen build up, leading to a slow loss of central vision. Macular degeneration typically occurs in older people, and is caused by damage to the macula of the retina. Genetic factors and smoking may play a role. The condition is diagnosed through a complete eye exam. Severity is divided into early, intermediate, and late types. The late type is additionally divided into "dry" and "wet" forms, with the dry form making up 90% of cases. The difference...

Read on Wikipedia · Image Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain