A Definition of Age-Related Macular Degeneration that you can understand!
Age-related Macular Degeneration, or AMD, is a very complex eye condition or disease, but with early detection and proper treatments, it is possible to reduce its severity and delay its progress.
What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
A simple definition of macular degeneration is that it is an eye disease that affects the macula, the part of the retina that is responsible for central vision and the perception of fine detail.
Central vision helps you see objects clearly and sharply, and is important for activities such as reading or driving. Although macular degeneration may result in partial vision loss, it usually does not cause total blindness since it primarily affects your ability to see straight ahead, leaving your peripheral vision intact.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration is generally associated with age. It most commonly occurs in individuals over the age of 50, and is currently the leading cause of central vision loss among those 65 years of age and older in developed countries. The incidence of this disease is slightly higher in females than males.
It is a bilateral condition, meaning that it can affect both eyes, although the severity and progress may be different in one eye than the other.
Unfortunately, the cause of Age Related Macular Degeneration is still unknown, although extensive research continues, with new methods and treatments being discovered to help slow the progress of macular degeneration symptoms.
Although there are now direct causes of this disease but there are risk factors that can increase the incidence of it in certain people.
For more information about Macular Degeneration risk factors,
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Watch this video about Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Our article series goes into greater detail, but you may find this video from Youtube - whilst narrated by a young girl - provides a good definition of Age-Related Macular Degeneration and and its impact on people.