What Is AMD?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition that affects the back of your eye, called the retina. At the center of the retina is the macula. The macula lets you see objects straight ahead, which is called central vision. Macular degeneration damages the macula, which causes you to lose your central vision.

Age-related macular degeneration mainly occurs in people over 60, so it is called age-related macular degeneration. Today, at least 15 million people in the United States have this health problem.

Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive condition that can be detected long before vision loss occurs. The early stages of age-related macular degeneration have no noticeable symptoms. The stages may progress slowly and don’t always result in severe vision loss. Your eye doctor can diagnose early stages with a simple eye examination.

Learn more about the forms of AMD.