Macular Degeneration Macular degeneration occurs most commonly in people over age 55 years and is known as age-related macular degeneration. The macula is a pea sized area of the retina which perceives details of an image while the rest of the retina is responsible for peripheral vision. With macular degeneration, the center of the field of vision blurs and clear details of an object are lost. Macular degeneration is usually associated with aging, however it may be linked to other conditions. High blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, myopia, or nearsightedness and serious eye injuries which could lead to retinal detachment could also cause damage to the macula. Persons experiencing blurred or distorted central vision should visit a doctor immediately. Treatment Treatment begins with an eye examination to try to determine the extent of the condition. Lasers are sometimes used to seal damaged blood vessels in the early stages of macular degeneration. Although complications of vision with macular degeneration cannot be reversed, people can usually continue their daily activities using devices such as high-intensity reading lamps and magnifiers to help compensate for their loss of detailed vision. Although macular degeneration is a serious condition and can have a significant effect on one's vision, people almost never go completely blind.  Back