Macula Degeneration

Macula degeneration (MD) occurs when the macula at the back of the eye becomes damaged. The macula is a small area in the middle of the retina with the greatest amount of light sensitive cells and is used for fine-detailed central vision.

There are two types of MD, wet & dry. Dry MD is much more common and occurs due to deposits know as drusen building up behind the macula. This gradually affects your central vision but the progression can be slow. At the moment there is no treatment for dry MD, but research has shown that some specific food supplements can help slow down its development.

Wet MD occurs when abnormal blood vessels begin to grow behind the macula and leak fluid. This pushes the macula away from its blood supply and causes rapid loss of vision. This can be treated if caught early enough by injecting a drug into the gel inside your eye, which can halt the progress of the disease or slow it down.

One of the most common symptoms of MD is noticing that straight lines appear wavy. If you suddenly notice this you should contact us immediately.