Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Your macula is in the center of your retina. It helps you see things directly in front of you. This small structure also enables you to see fine details and color.

As you age, your macula can become damaged. This is called age-related macular degeneration. People with age-related macular degeneration may find it hard or impossible to read or drive.

Emory Eye Center retina surgeons are experts at treating age-related macular degeneration.

At Emory Eye Center, we go beyond routine treatments for age-related macular degeneration. We also work with researchers to study this condition.

Our team has led macular degeneration clinical research studies on antioxidants, new drug delivery systems, retinal cell transplantation, gene therapy and retinal transplant surgery.

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in Americans over age 55. This condition affects about one-third of all Americans over age 65.

There are two types of age-related macular degeneration. They are:

• Dry form: Also called atrophic, dry form age-related macular degeneration is the most common type. This type of macular degeneration happens when the macula breaks down (degenerates).

• Wet form: Also called exudative, wet form age-related macular degeneration is less common but more severe than dry form. This type of macular degeneration happens when abnormal blood vessels grow in the layer behind the retina. These vessels leak fluid and blood, which can cause severe vision damage.

If you have early macular degeneration, you may not experience vision symptoms. But your doctor may notice yellow deposits under your retina. Doctors can see these deposits, called drusen, during a vision exam. They may be an early sign of age-related macular degeneration.

Once age-related macular degeneration has progressed, you may notice vision loss symptoms, including:

• Loss of central vision (your ability to see shapes, colors, faces and details)
• Visual distortions that make straight objects like doorways or lines look wavy or curved

You can take steps to prevent early development of age-related macular degeneration. These include:

• Don't smoke.
• Eat a low-fat diet.
• Eat plenty of fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables and nuts.
• Exercise regularly.
• Include two to three servings of fish per week in your diet.
• Wear sunglasses and hats to protect against chronic sun exposure.