{"id":2596,"date":"2024-09-16T14:51:25","date_gmt":"2024-09-16T18:51:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/?p=2596"},"modified":"2026-04-02T03:12:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:12:41","slug":"macular-degeneration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/macular-degeneration","title":{"rendered":"What Is Macular Degeneration?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration or AMD, is a retinal eye disease. With macular degeneration, damage to the eye\u2019s macula (the central part of the retina) causes a loss of central vision (what you see looking straight ahead). At the same time, your peripheral vision<\/a> (what you see on the edges of your visual field) usually remains more normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in older adults. No cure currently exists, but prevention options may keep macular degeneration from developing. And treatment may slow its progression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll discuss how macular degeneration happens, who is most at risk for getting it, and its symptoms. Then we\u2019ll clue you into some macular degeneration prevention and treatment options an eye doctor might recommend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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Worried about your vision?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t

See an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam. They can check your eye health and recommend treatment.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tBook an appointment <\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
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What Causes Macular Degeneration?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Macular degeneration is caused by the macula becoming damaged. But before we get into how macular damage happens, let\u2019s talk about what the macula does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The macula is the central part of your eye\u2019s retina. Along with the rest of the retina, the macula sits at the back of the eye and converts the light entering your eye into images your brain understands. (This is how you \u201csee\u201d those images.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The macula is responsible for what you see straight in front of you (your central vision), and most of your color vision. The macula also helps you see fine details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anything that damages the macula can affect your central vision\u2014and even small changes can have an impact. Depending on how severe the macular damage is, macular degeneration could have a profound impact on daily life, significantly impairing functions like recognizing faces, reading, driving, and even getting around. But usually, macular degeneration does not cause total blindness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wet vs. Dry Macular Degeneration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Two main types of macular degeneration exist: the dry form and the wet form. With each type, different circumstances damage the macula, leading to macular degeneration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dry Macular Degeneration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dry macular degeneration (dry AMD) is the most common form, affecting 80% of people with macular degeneration<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With dry AMD, the macula gets thinner and protein clumps (called drusen) develop, damaging the macula. Dry AMD tends to occur gradually and painlessly. Often, macular damage isn\u2019t noticed until it has progressed enough for the vision loss to become obvious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wet Macular Degeneration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wet macular degeneration (wet AMD) is less common than dry AMD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also called advanced neovascular AMD, wet AMD is when new blood vessels or abnormal blood vessels develop at the back of the eye and leak blood or fluid, which damages the macula. Wet AMD can occur suddenly and tends to cause more significant vision loss. Sometimes, wet AMD can develop from dry AMD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Macular Degeneration: Risk Factors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Macular degeneration is also known as age-related macular degeneration because age is a significant risk factor in developing AMD. That is, the chance of getting macular degeneration increases with age. But other risk factors may come into play, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re more likely to get macular degeneration if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n