Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a deterioration or breakdown of the eye’s macula. The macula is a small area in the retina — the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. The macula is the part of the retina that is responsible for your central vision, allowing you to see fine details clearly.
There are two types of AMD: wet and dry. Depending on which type of AMD you have, it may lead to various degrees of vision loss. Causes of AMD include the formation of deposits called drusen under the retina, and in some cases, the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina. Risk factors such as age, family history, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and smoking are all implicated in AMD.
