Macular degeneration, which is often referred to also as age-related macular degeneration, destroys part of the retina enough to cause some vision loss over time. It is typically found in older adults, though some medical conditions can cause this to occur in younger people, as well. It should be noted that this condition does not usually lead to total blindness, but instead results in a lack of central vision and contrast sensitivity in most people. Find out more about the results of this eye condition.
Loss of Central Vision
Unlike some eye problems, macular degeneration typically does not result in total blindness, which is why many people simply deal with it for years. However, you can expect to lose parts of your vision, such as the central part. This means that when you look at people, you will not be able to see part of them, such as their face, despite being right in front of you. Instead, you will probably see a black spot, which clearly makes tasks like reading or driving difficult to do.
Loss of Contrast Sensitivity
If you have macular degeneration, you can also expect to lose your contrast sensitivity. This means that shadows and outlines will blend in so that you cannot distinguish them from other objects. Additionally, your color vision will likely suffer, making it hard to determine different hues.
Though the majority of people who get treatment for macular degeneration do not go blind, some complications can lead to total blindness in some people. If you suffer from any of the following, there is a chance of going blind from this condition:
- Glaucoma that has not been treated
- Stroke
- Serious trauma
If you think you at-risk for going blind from macular degeneration, or at-risk for this condition at all, it is time to see an eye doctor to get the condition diagnosed and treated today.