I am diagnosed with macular degeneration, what does it mean?

Age-related macular degeneration, often called AMD or ARMD is a degenerative disease of the macula. The macula is the central portion of the retina.  AMD can result in a loss of central vision. Although it rarely results in complete blindness, it leaves individuals with only the outermost, peripheral vision, leaving only dim images or a “black spot” at the center of vision.


Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of visual impairment among elderly individuals in the developed world, occurring primarily in persons over the age of 50. It is estimated that 1.75 million people in the United States suffer from advanced AMD, and 7.3 million people are affected with intermediate AMD. This poses a significant threat, as well as a major public health problem with a considerable economic and social impact.