Macular conditions

Nearly 1.5m people in the UK have macular disease. It affects people of all ages. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common condition, generally affecting people over the age of 55.

AMD is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, affecting more than 600,000 people.

A group of rare inherited conditions called macular dystrophies can affect much younger people. Some of these rare conditions can appear in childhood, although some are not diagnosed until later in life.

Dry age-related macular degeneration

Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a slow deterioration of the cells of the macula.

Wet age-related macular degeneration

Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) develops when abnormal blood vessels grow into the macula which leads to rapid loss of central vision.

Early AMD

Some people have changes to their retina, the appearance of drusen or areas of abnormality. This is known as ‘early’ age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO)

Retinal vein occlusion is a blockage of a retinal vein. It is a common cause of sudden painless reduction in vision in people over 60.

Macular hole

A macular hole is a small defect in the retinal layer that develops in the macula. Macular holes occur in about 3 in 1,000 people over the age of 55.

Myopic macular degeneration

Myopic macular degeneration is a type of macular degeneration that occurs in people with severe myopia.

Stargardt disease

Stargardt disease is a genetic condition caused by a tiny alteration in a single gene. It is the most common form of juvenile macular dystrophy.

Bestrophinopathies

Bestrophinopathies are a group of five related macular conditions caused by mistakes or mutations in a gene called BEST1.

Cone dystrophy

Cone dystrophy stops the cone cells of the retina working, leading to loss of central and colour vision.

Doyne honeycomb dystrophy

Doyne honeycomb dystrophy is caused by a mutation or mistake on a single gene, and causes sight loss, often from early adulthood.

Sorsby fundus dystrophy

Sorsby fundus dystrophy causes similar symptoms to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), although it generally affects people at a younger age.

Pattern dystrophy

Pattern dystrophy is the umbrella term for a group of retinal conditions which causes damage to tissue in the eye.

Bull’s eye maculopathy

Bull’s eye maculopathy describes a number of different conditions in which a ring of pale-looking damage develops around a darker area of the macula.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE)

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum or ‘PXE' affects tissues all over the body. Its effects in the eye can cause sight loss.

Diabetic macular oedema

Diabetic macular oedema (DMO) is the most common cause of sight loss in people with diabetes. Leaky vessels cause fluid to build up, damaging the macula.

Central serous retinopathy

In central serous retinopathy (CSR), the macula becomes separated from the eye tissue behind it, and fluid builds up in the space created.

Punctate inner choroidopathy

Punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) is caused by inflammation at the back of the eye. It is more common in women, and in short-sighted people.

Charles Bonnet Syndrome

Visual hallucinations can occur as a result of sight loss. Up to half of all people with macular degeneration are thought to experience visual hallucinations at some time.