Macular degeneration affects central vision.  Central vision is required for highly-focused, straight-on things such as driving a car, working on a computer, or face-to-face conversation.  Central vision originates in the macula.

Any damage to the macula results in some or total loss of central vision.  People with macular degeneration can adapt since peripheral (side) vision is not affected.  It is a condition that develops usually after age 50.

There are two forms of Macular Degeneration -- dry and wet.

90% of those who have macular degeneration have the dry form.  It is the deterioration of the macula and can take months or years to fully take effect.  Oftentimes it only happens in one eye allowing the good eye to take over for the bad eye.

Only about 10% of all victims of age-related macular degeneration have the wet form; however, it accounts for 90% of the most serious loss of vision cases.  The wet form occurs when tiny blood vessels beneath the retina begin to degenerate causing tiny leaks.  This can cause the development of breaks in the retina and its light-sensitive cells.  If this damage affects the macula, rapid deterioration of central vision can occur.  This type can be treated with a laser to seal the leaking blood vessels and to tack the retina back in place.  

Home Test

While there is no substitute for regular eye examinations by an eye care professional, there is a simply home test for early detection of macular degeneration.

This test is called the Amsler Grid.

1) Test each eye separately.

2) Do the test in a well-lit room while wearing your normal glasses for reading.

3) The grid should be held at normal reading distance, about 12-14 inches away. 

4) Cover one eye completely.

5) With one eye open, look at the dot in the center of the grid.

6) Do any of the lines look wavy or crooked?

    Do all of the boxes look the same?

    Are any of the lines missing?

7) If you answered "yes" to any of the questions for either eye, you should be seen by an eye doctor.

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