The retina of the eye serves a function similar to that of the film in a camera. Degeneration or breakdown of the macula may come from many causes.
Some cases are hereditary, and others are caused by diseases such as arteriosclerosis.
The most common form of this condition occurs in the elderly. While a person with macular degeneration may retain substantial peripheral vision, the ability to read, sew, or drive may be seriously impaired. Some type of magnification may help. A small percentage of cases of a rare form of AMD may be candidates for laser treatment to seal off blood vessels which have grown beneath the retina or to repair the macula's weak spots by removing worn-out tissue and allowing new tissue growth. This condition is characterized by degeneration of the retina and the choroid, usually involving an abnormal development of excess pigment.