Macular disease is any disease or degeneration of cells in the macula of the eye. The macula is the center part of the retina which is responsible for our straight ahead and sharp, detailed vision.

Macular disease results in a gradual loss of sharp, detailed and central vision. Usually the side or peripheral vision is not affected. Common macular diseases include:

Macular Degeneration: Macular degeneration is a silent and painless loss of central vision due to the degeneration or dying of cells in the retina. Macular degeneration – also called ARMD (age-related macular degeneration) – is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans aged 65 and older.

Juvenile Macular Degeneration: Juvenile macular degeneration is a genetic form of macular degeneration that develops in childhood, teenage or young adult years. It is usually inherited and causes progressive loss of vision that distorts or blurs what we see straight ahead. This hereditary eye disease forms in both eyes with similar changes in both eyes as well.

Macular Edema: Macular edema is a macular condition that results from the swelling or collection of fluid underneath the macula. The fluid comes from leaking retinal blood vessels.

Macular Hole: A macular hole is a small break or tear in the macula. These tears are usually related to aging and occur in people over age 60. Symptoms often begin gradually. In the early stage, people may notice a slight distortion or blurriness in their straight-ahead vision. Straight lines may look bent or wavy and reading or other routine tasks with the affected eye become difficult.

Some macular disease can be treated if caught early while many cannot be corrected by glasses, surgery or other types of treatment. It is important to have regular eye exams to check for macular conditions or other forms of eye problems or vision loss. To schedule an exam in Spartanburg, contact Palmetto Eye & Laser Center at 864-583-6381 or palmettoeyeandlaser.com today.