Others seem to have some form of genetic protection, such as people from central and west African origin, in whom macular degeneration is very rare. Other types of macular degeneration may be inherited, and often start in youth. Injury, infection or inflammatory conditions may also damage the delicate macula. If only one eye is affected, the condition is hardly noticeable in the early stages. It may take some time before a patient notices visual disturbance.
Macular degeneration causes different symptoms.
Sometimes only one eye is affected, and the fellow eye continues to see well for many years. If both eyes are affected, reading and close work becomes progressively more difficult. Since peripheral vision is usually unaffected, most people can take care of themselves quite well. Other symptoms include reduced color vision, distortion of straight lines, and empty or dark areas in the centre of the visual field. Diagnosis Many patients are unaware of problems until vision becomes blurred.