T.I.E.T.

Definition: A degenerative eye condition in which the macula, a sensitive area in the middle of the retina, responsible for central and detail vision, is damaged, leading to loss of central vision.

Who gets AMD? Most common in people over 60, but can appear as early as age 40. Macular degeneration is the most common cause of severe vision loss among people over 65.

What causes AMD? There is no conclusive proof as to what causes macular degeneration, however, some scientists believe heredity may play a part, as may UV light exposure and malnutrition.

What kinds of AMD are there? There are two forms of macular degeneration: dry and wet.

•Dry macular degeneration, in which the light sensitive cells of the macula slowly break down, is the most common type, accounting for 90 percent of diagnosed cases.
•Wet macular degeneration accounts for approximately 10 percent of cases, but results in 90 percent of legal blindness. It is considered advanced macular degeneration (there is no early or intermediate stage of wet macular degeneration). Wet macular degeneration is always preceded by the dry form of the disease.

Though the disease always progresses from dry to wet, it does not necessarily pass through all the stages shown above. There is no conclusive proof as to what causes macular degeneration, however, some scientists believe heredity may play a part, as may UV light exposure and malnutrition.

Patients suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa(R.P.) experience reduced peripheral and night vision.