It is here that images and light are focused, and the signals transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve. Sometimes as people age, these retinal cells die as the blood vessels behind them atrophy. They hemorrhage and leak, scarring the light-sensitive tissue. Once the damage is done, the retina cannot be repaired. The result is blurring and dim colors in central vision.
Straight lines appear curved or wavy.
Sometimes, there is simply a dark or empty area in the center of vision. For patients, the worst thing about this disease is losing their quality of life. For physicians, the worst thing is being unable to fix it. Paul Sternberg, head of the Eye Center's retina section, says macular degeneration is probably the center's biggest research challenge. Most patients will eventually become legally blind, unable to read or drive.