Macular degeneration is the deterioration or breakdown of the macula. The macula is a small area in the back of the eye that allows you to see fine details and perform activities such as reading or driving. When the macula doesn’t function properly, it may become difficult to see near and far, and you may experience blurriness, dark areas, or distortion of vision. Macular degeneration does not affect peripheral vision. For example, you may be able to see the outline of a clock but not able to tell what time it is. Macular degeneration itself does not result in total blindness.

Cause
Many older people develop macular degeneration as part of the body’s natural aging process. Why it develops is not known, and no treatment has been uniformly effective. The most common kinds of age-related macular degeneration are dry and wet.

“Dry” macular degeneration is the most frequently-occurring type of degeneration. It is caused by aging and thinning of the tissues of the macula. Vision loss is usually gradual. “Wet” macular degeneration makes up about 10% of all cases. It results when abnormal blood vessels form underneath the retina at the back of the eye. These new vessels leak fluid or block and blur central vision. Vision loss may be rapid and severe.

Treatment
There is no cure for “dry” macular degeneration. Treatment of this condition focuses on helping a person find ways to cope with visual impairment. Certain types of “wet” macular degeneration can be treated with laser surgery or photodynamic therapy.

Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology

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Your ophthalmologist at Fort Worth Eye Associates can provide you with more information specific to your case.  The above information is not intended to replace a personal exam, medical diagnosis, and/or complete treatment description by an ophthalmologist.