Although this condition may cause significant reduction in vision it never leads to complete blindness as it affects only the central part of the vision and the side usually, or peripheral, vision is always left undisturded.

The retina, which is situated at the back of the eye, transmits the images that we see to the brain. The retina has two main parts - the macula and the peripheral retina. The macula is the part of the retina that is responsible for seeing fine detail, such as reading, seeing facial features and interpreting different colours. It is this part of the retina that is affected by Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).

Ageing changes and occurs because of 'wear and tear' changes in the macular region. It is thought that waste materials from this very active part of the eye build up as the mechanisms for removing them become less able. This causes damage to the cells over a period of time.

It affects people who are over 60 years of age. Some younger people may be more susceptible, including people who are very short-sighted. Women tend to be affected more commonly than men, but that is probably because they live longer. There is a hereditary tendency, but this has not yet been fully researched.

There are two major types of Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). These are described as dry or wet.

Dry Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)
The more common form of ARMD and affects almost 80 per cent of those with the condition. The onset of this condition tends to be slow. Both eyes are usually affected symmetrically.

Wet Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)
Wet macular degeneration is less common but tends to have a more severe and rapid effect on the central area of vision. In this condition, blood vessels from one layer at the back of the eye grow in an abnormal fashion into the macular area. These blood vessels may leak or bleed causing a rapid and significant reduction in central vision. This tends to affect one eye at a time but there is a risk of the same thing occurring in the other eye over the following months.

Dry Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) causes a gradual reduction in central vision. This tends to affect the ability to read and to see fine detail more than distance vision.

The first symptoms of wet Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) may be distortion of vision (known as metamorphopsia). This often has the effect of making straight lines appear curved or tilted. The vision deteriorates and eventually the central vision may be completely lost leaving a dark central area of poor vision (known as a central scotoma).

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is a common cause of partial sight or blind registration in the devdeloped world. If you suffer from age-related macular degeneration your ophthamologist may have arranged to register you as blind. This does not mean that you are blind or are going to go blind. It means that the central vision has been affected such that you are having difficulty with your vision which needs to be recognised. The peripheral (side) vision is always retained which ensures that the majority of people with this condition are still able to maintain good mobility and independence.

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