Macular Degeneration or ARMD
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans age 65 and older. It is a degeneration of the macula, which is the part of the retina where the cones are concentrated. This is the part of the retina where images come into focus for sharp central vision. Normally ARMD causes a slow painless loss of central vision. Symptoms include fuzzy or distorted vision. Macular Degeneration is associated with aging and seems to have a family tendency. Some risk factors for it are heredity, smoking, hypertension, lighter eye color and obesity.
There are two forms of macular degeneration, a dry form and a wet form. Dry ARMD is a nonvascular form and is caused by thinning and/or deposits of pigment in the macula. It causes a gradual vision loss, but is not as severe as wet macular degeneration. Wet or neovascular macular degeneration is more advanced and more damaging. In this form new blood vessels grow under the macula, which leak blood and fluid.
While there are no cures for macular degeneration, there are new treatments available which can stop the progression. These include new medications as well as Photodynamic Therapy. Research has shown that certain nutients- lutein, zinc, zeaxanthin and vitamins can lower the risk or slow the progression.
For more information see http://www.macular.org/