Macular degeneration
This is the leading cause of vision loss among older people. It is the result of changes to the macula, the most sensitive part of the retina. The macula is used to see the fine detail when reading, writing, watching television and recognising faces. Central vision is distorted or affected, though peripheral (side) vision usually remains normal.
There are several causes of macular degeneration. Most commonly, the tissue of the macula stops working effectively because the tiny blood vessels fail to nourish it properly. For some people this is part of the ageing process. Another cause is when fluids from newly formed blood vessels leak into the retinal tissue and cause vision loss. If detected early, this condition can sometimes be treated with laser therapy. Early detection is the most important factor in determining whether macular degeneration can be treated. Smoking is a major contributing factor to the early development of age-related macular degeneration.