In macular degeneration , damage or breakdown of the macula occurs. The symptoms are distortion or blurriness of central, detailed vision. In this form, there is damage to the pigment layer under the retina. Because the pigment layer provides nutrition and protection to the retina, when it is damaged, the retina doesn't function properly. The dry form of the disease tends to progress slowly, and cause less severe vision loss.
All macular degeneration starts out as the dry type.
Abnormal blood vessels form under the macula, which leak fluid or blood. Macular degeneration almost always involves both eyes, but one eye is often many years ahead of the other in the deterioration process. It is possible to have one eye with the dry type and one eye with the wet type. Glaucoma Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. It causes damage to the optic nerve due to high pressure in the eye.