Macular Degeneration

Sometimes the delicate cells of the macula become damaged and stop working. We do not know why this is, although it tends to happen as people get older. This is called age-related macula degeneration. Because macula degeneration is an age-related process it usually involves both eyes, although they may not be affected at the same time. With many people the visual cells simply cease to function, like the colours fading in an old photograph - this is known as "dry" degeneration. Sometimes there is scarring of the macula caused by the leaking blood vessels and this is called disciform maculopathy. Children and young people can also suffer from an inherited form of macular degeneration called macular dystrophy, Sometimes several members of a family will suffer from this, and if this is the case, it is very important that eyes are checked regularly.