Stopping Macular Degeneration in its Tracks

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease caused by the deterioration of the central portion of the retina, also known as the macula. The macula is responsible for focusing central vision in the eye, and it controls our ability to read, drive a car, recognize faces or colors, and see objects in fine detail.

Illustration courtesy of the National Eye Institute

The disease can affect people of any age, but it is typically associated with aging. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of visual impairment in the United States. Approximately 1.8 million Americans age 40 and older have advanced AMD, and another 7.3 million people with intermediate AMD are at substantial risk for vision loss. The government estimates that by 2020 there will be 2.9 million people with advanced AMD.

This Information Center covers everything you need to know about macular degeneration, including possible treatments. A good starting point is The Basics. Breaking news headlines can be found under What’s Hot. And don’t forget to check out our links to organizations that provide assistance and additional information to patients with macular degeneration.