Age-related Macular Degeneration or AMD is a common eye disease that causes progressive damage to the central part of the retina, also known as the Macula. AMD is the leading cause of visual impairment in the United States, and blindness in senior citizens of America, aged 65 and older.

As people age, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which supplies nutrients from the choroid (layer of blood vessels that nourishes the cones and rods of the retina) to the retina and helps remove waste products, may deteriorate. This results in the formation of waste deposits and the light-sensitive cells of the macula may be damaged due to lack of nutrients. The normal signals sent through the optic nerve to the brain by these cells become disrupted and the vision becomes blurred.

According to the estimate of Archives of Ophthalmology in 2004, approximately 1.75 million U.S. residents have indicative symptoms associated with AMD or age-related macular degeneration. The number is expected to grow to almost 3 million by 2020 according to this estimate.

Age-related Macular Degeneration rarely results in complete blindness but leads to distorted vision and reduces contrast sensitivity and color perception. Peripheral vision may not be affected and victims may be able to see from the corners of their eyes. However, in the worst cases, AMD or Age-related Macular Degeneration may result in a complete loss of vision or lead to blindness.

Although the chances for developing AMD or age-related Macular Degeneration increase radically as people age, researchers suspect an association between development of AMD and occurrence of a variant of a gene known as complement factor H (CFH). The cause of this eye disease may also be related to nutrition, smoking, and sunlight or as a side effect of a particular drug.

Macular Degeneration provides detailed information about macular degeneration, dry macular degeneration and more. Macular Degeneration is affiliated with Colored Contact Lenses.