The macula is a small area at the back of the eye that allows us to see fine details clearly. When the macula doesn't function correctly, we experience blurriness or darkness in the center of our vision. Although macular degeneration reduces vision in the central part of the retina, it does not affect the eye's side, or peripheral vision. For example, you could see the outline of a clock but not be able to tell what time it is. Macular degeneration alone does not result in total blindness.
People continue to have some useful vision and are able to take care of themselves.
The Eye is shaped much like a tennis ball, with three different layers of tissue surrounding a central gel-filled cavity. When the uvea becomes inflamed, the condition is called uveitis. The uvea contains many of the blood vessels which nourish the eye. Inflammation of the uvea can affect the cornea. Since the uvea borders many important parts of the eye, inflammation of this layer may be sight-threatening and more serious than the more common inflammations of the outside layers of the eye.