Macular Degeneration
The macula is the central area of the retina where reading vision is located. The
retina is the light sensitive inner lining in the back of the eye that is like the
film in a camera. Anatomically, the macula is located in the straight-ahead position
of the eye and is the center of the retina.
Macular
degeneration causes a person's vision to become blurred, distorted, and/or dark
in the straight-ahead direction. While macular degeneration rarely causes loss of
all visions, it can make daily activities such as reading or driving difficult or
impossible.
What cause age-related Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is almost always seen in older people, although in a few families it may start earlier. The prevalence of macular degeneration increases as the population gets older. There is a definite genetic predisposition as shown by studies comparing identical twins and fraternal twins. Other factors that have an effect on the severity of the disease include high-blood pressure and cigarette smoking. It is now the most common cause of legal blindness in retirement-age people in the United States. There are two main forms of macular degeneration: dry and wet.
For symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments of Macular Degeneration please click here.
For information on current clinic trails being held at Retina Associates of
Florida, P.A. please click here.
Retina Associates of Florida is Tampa Bay’s leading medical group in treatment of retinal disease and has offices located throughout the Tampa Bay area. For more information on Retina Associates of Florida, visit our offices or call 1-800-282-9141.
