This condition is an eye disease often caused by getting older. This disease can cause patients to lose vision in the center of their visual field. It's most common in those aged 60, and can progress until a large amount of vision loss. This disease occurs when the middle of the retina begins to wear down. It gets worn until the patient's central vision area is damaged. It can lead to significant vision loss, but generally won't cause complete blindness. It is unknown exactly why the macula starts to break down with age.

In general, there may be no symptoms of the problem at first. However, you may have several symptoms as it progresses and in the late stages. You may have vision that gets wavy or blurry. You may get blurry spots or darker areas in your central visual field. You might find that things have changed color from what they used to be, and you might require brighter lights to see better. You may see people and need help recognizing their faces. It can take several years for these symptoms to develop slowly, or you may find they start suddenly.

There is no specific way to predict whether someone will develop macular degeneration, but several risk factors can determine its likelihood. Those who are Caucasian are more susceptible to this eye disease. It can also be genetic, so having a family history can make development more likely. Getting older is another risk factor, especially if you're over 60. People with cardiovascular disease or obesity are at greater risk. Smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are also risk factors.

You need a yearly eye exam to determine whether you have this eye disease. Our clinic Ella Eyes will diagnose your condition early and tackle the problem before it interferes with everyday life. Call our office in Houston, TX, to make your appointment.