New blood vessels grow beneath the retina and can cause a large blind spot in the center of the visual field. Symptoms Macular degeneration is most common in people over the age of 60 and often is hereditary. The cause of macular degeneration is unknown, and currently there is no cure. The goal of treatment is to improve vision and prevent the condition from worsening. Research suggests that a diet rich in green, leafy vegetables may help stabilize dry macular degeneration.
Laser surgery can often slow the progression of wet macular degeneration.
Glaucoma Glaucoma is a condition in which the liquid that normally flows in and out of the eye drains too slowly, causing pressure to build up and damage the optic nerve. Nearly three million people have glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness in the United States. Symptoms Initially, there are no noticeable symptoms with open-angle glaucoma. Vision is normal and there is no pain. As the disease progresses, side, or peripheral, vision begins to fail.