What is macular degeneration?

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    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    Macular degeneration is an eye disease that leads to irreversible visual impairments due to damage to the macula, which is essential for central vision. It is a leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in people over age 50 and affects approximately 2 million people globally.

    Macular degeneration is an eye disease that results in irreversible impairments in visual function. The disease results from the progressive accumulation of damage to a part of the eye called the macula, a photoreceptor-dense area responsible for central vision.

    Macular degeneration is responsible for around two million cases of blindness worldwide[1] and is one of the most common causes of visual impairment among people older than 50.[2]

    Factors associated with macular degeneration

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    What is macular degeneration? - Examine