Age-Related Macula Degeneration (AMD or ARMD )
Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD or AMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness in people over 50 years of age (legal blindness means that a person can see 6/60 or less with glasses). It is caused by the breakdown of the central portion of the retina (the nerve layer part of your eye) called the macula.
The macula is responsible for the fine central vision in the eye that is needed for driving a car, reading fine print, recognising faces, watching television and fine work etc. Peripheral vision may remain clear.
The cause of ARMD is unknown but smoking has been shown to accelerate it, especially the "wet" form. Macular degeneration does appear to be hereditary in some families but not in others.
There are two types of Macular Degeneration: dry and wet.
More information on AMD from
Document Downloads
- Science of AMD (PDF, 4.8 MB)
