Macular Degeneration
One of the most common causes of poor vision after the age of 60 is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Current estimates put the incidence of AMD at 10 percent in patients age 64 to 75 and 30 percent in patients over 75 years of age. In addition to age, certain risk factors have been determined including blue eyes, heredity, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and smoking. AMD affects the macula, the part of the retina that is responsible for central and detailed vision, resulting in a loss of central vision and visual acuity. There are two forms of AMD: the dry form, which is more common, and the wet form. There is no treatment for dry AMD, but laser therapy has been shown to effectively treat wet AMD.