What is macular disease?

Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK and developed world. It affects people of all ages and nearly 1.5m people in the UK have macular disease.

The macula is a tiny area of the retina at the back of the eye, which is only about the size of the grain of rice. It is responsible for our central vision, most fine detail of what we see and a lot of our colour vision too.

If your macula becomes damaged, as it does in macular disease, then your vision may become blurred or distorted. Gradually, the photo receptors in the macula die and you lose your central vision.

That means people with advanced macular disease can struggle with every day tasks and cannot drive or read. They may have difficulty seeing faces, and recognising friends and family becomes very difficult.

Types of macular disease

There are many forms of macular disease. The most common condition is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which generally affects people over the age of 50. It’s the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, affecting more than 700,000 people.

Other forms of macular disease can affect much younger people, including children, with common conditions such as Stargardt disease, which is a genetic condition, and diabetic macular oedema.

Those with macular disease may also experience Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS), where visual hallucinations happen as a result of sight loss.

Causes of macular disease

There’s not one single cause of macular disease. Some macular conditions are genetic, meaning they’re caused by a change in the genes involved in vision.

For other conditions, such as AMD, the exact cause is unknown. However, it's been linked to factors such as ageing, smoking, high blood pressure, being overweight and having a family history of the condition.

What are the symptoms of macular disease?

Depending on the form of macular disease you have will depend on the symptoms you experience.

Common symptoms across all forms of macular disease may include difficulty seeing in low light, trouble reading, driving or doing close-up work, and blurry, fuzzy or distorted central vision.

Diagnosis and tests for macular disease

Early detection can be key to help slow vision loss. Having regular eye exams can help detect early signs of macular disease, even before noticeable vision problems occur.

Many high street opticians now have sophisticated eye scanning machines, called OCT scanners, which are helping to diagnose more people with macular conditions.

If it’s suspected you have a genetic form of macular disease such as macular dystrophy, you might be offered a genetic test.

This usually involves having a saliva (spit) or blood sample taken, where DNA is extracted from saliva or blood cells and analysed in the laboratory to try and identify the genetic alteration that is causing the condition.

If you notice any changes in your vision, it’s important to get checked out by your optician or eye care specialist.

Treatment options for macular disease

The treatment available will depend on which form of macular disease you have.

Take a look at treatments to find out more about the various treatments.

Living with macular disease

When you start to lose your central vision due to macular disease, it can make daily life more challenging. 

We’ve got lots of practical tips to help you feel more independent in your home with advice on everyday activities including preparing meals, gardening and using technology.

If you have macular disease, it’s important that you don’t feel alone. We have plenty of support available such as our counselling service and nationwide support groups.

Last reviewed: July 2025