Macular degeneration refers to a group of progressive eye diseases that damage the macula, the central part of the retina at the back of the eye, leading to a loss of central vision. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Dry: Also called atrophic AMD , dry AMD is the most common type, affecting around 80 percent of those with AMD. Age-related damage to a support membrane under the retina is believed to contribute to this condition.
Nearly all cases of macular degeneration begin as the dry form. Wet: Although wet AMD is less common, it is the leading cause of severe vision loss and causes most of the vision loss associated with AMD. It is also known as exudative AMD.
Non-Age-Related Macular Degeneration Stargardt macular dystrophy (STGD): Stargardt disease, also known as Stargardt macular dystrophy, is the most prevalent juvenile macular degeneration, affecting roughly one in 10,000 people. STGD is characterized by early vision impairment, often before visible changes appear in eye examinations. This may lead children to avoid chores or schoolwork and be mislabeled as slackers.
X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XJR): X-linked juvenile retinoschisis occurs almost exclusively in males. It is the primary genetic cause of macular degeneration in boys, affecting around 1 in 5,000 to 25,000 individuals. It constitutes roughly 5 percent of all inherited retinal dystrophies starting in childhood.
XJR is typically identified when affected boys begin school, and signs of poor vision and.