Most people who get ARMD are in pretty good health. ARMD seems to run in some families, so heredity probably also plays a role. People with fair skin and blues seem to be at greater risk. Many other factors have been studied by scientists. Some research suggests this process, called cellular metabolism, can sometimes make damaging waste products that can hurt healthy eye tissue.
Most patients have the dry type.
It tends to happen slowly as the tissue under the macula breaks down. So the body tries to grow new blood vessels. These tiny blood vessels, called subretinal neovascular membranes, break and leak easily. The vision isn't sharp and clear because the fluid leaks out of these abnormal blood vessels. These can be a normal sign of aging.