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Summary
Macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 and older. It is a disease that destroys your sharp, central vision. You need central vision to see objects clearly and to do tasks such as reading and driving.
AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail. It does not hurt, but it causes cells in the macula to die. There are two types: wet and dry. Wet AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula. These new blood vessels often leak blood and fluid. Wet AMD damages the macula quickly. Blurred vision is a common early symptom. Dry AMD happens when the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down. Your gradually lose your central vision. A common early symptom is that straight lines appear crooked.
Regular comprehensive eye exams can detect macular degeneration before the disease causes vision loss. Treatment can slow vision loss. It does not restore vision.
NIH: National Eye Institute
Diagnosis and Tests
- Dilating Eye Drops (American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus)
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Macular Degeneration Prevention and Risk Factors (BrightFocus Foundation) Also in Spanish
Treatments and Therapies
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Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS/AREDS2)
(National Eye Institute)
- Choosing Wisely When It Comes to Eye Care: Antibiotics for Eye Injections (American Academy of Ophthalmology)
Living With
- Diet and Nutrition (American Academy of Ophthalmology) Also in Spanish
Specifics
- Dry Macular Degeneration (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Wet Macular Degeneration (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Genetics
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age-related macular degeneration: MedlinePlus Genetics
(National Library of Medicine)
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Stargardt macular degeneration: MedlinePlus Genetics
(National Library of Medicine)
Videos and Tutorials
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Macular degeneration
(Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Statistics and Research
- Blood Pressure Drugs and AMD (American Academy of Ophthalmology)
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NIH Study Provides Clarity on Supplements for Protection Against Blinding Eye Disease
(National Eye Institute)
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Macular Degeneration
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Reference Desk
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Diagram of the Eye
(National Eye Institute) Also in Spanish
Patient Handouts
- Fluorescein angiography (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Home vision tests (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Intravitreal injection (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Macular degeneration - age-related (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish