Macular Degeneration — also known as Age-related Macular Degeneration, AMD or ARMD — is the deterioration of the macula, which is the small central area of the retina of the eye that controls visual acuity.

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Types of Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is diagnosted as either Dry (non-neovascular) or Wet (neovascular).  Neovascular refers to the growth of new blood vessels in an area they are not supposed to be.

• Dry Macular Degeneration- Dry AMD is the early stage of the disease, which may result in the aging and thinning of the macular tissues and depositing of pigments in the macula.  Dry macular degeneration is diagnosed when yellowish spots called drusens begin to accumulate around the macula. It is believed these spots are deposits from deteriorating tissues. 

• Wet Macular Degeneration - Wet AMD is a response from the body to attempt to create new blood vessels to fix the issues from Dry AMD.  Instead of supplying ntrients and oxygen to the retina, these new blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak blood causing permanent damage to the retina.  Wet AMD falls into two categories; Occult- new blood vessels are not as pronounced and leak less causing very little vision loss.  Classic - Where growth and scarring are prevalent and vision loss is servere.       

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