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Macular Degeneration factsheet

Macular degeneration (MD) is the name given to an eye condition that causes the
progressive and painless loss of the eye’s central vision, which is used to see fine detail like
reading and recognising faces.

The disease occurs when the macula, at the very centre of the retina, becomes damaged,
distorting or affecting the central vision. The side or peripheral vision is usually unaffected,
so people with MD can generally remain active and care for themselves.

There are two forms of MD, dry and wet. Dry MD is associated with ageing, and is the most
common form of the disease. It causes the gradual loss of vision as a result of the retinal
cells dying, leaving patches of ‘missing’ retina. Wet MD occurs when blood vessels grow into
the retina, causing scarring and loss of vision.

Treatment

Currently there is no medical or surgical treatment for dry MD, though research is continuing.
With appropriate counselling, people may be able to learn to use their peripheral vision more
effectively, and continue to deal with the practical aspects of daily life.

There is treatment available to slow the progression, stabilise the condition, and reduce the
severe vision loss that is caused by wet MD.

Individuals with either wet or dry MD can benefit from vision aids, like magnifying lenses,
reading machines, and telescopic lenses, which can greatly assist them to continue to live a
relatively normal life.

How Just Better Care can help

Just Better Care may assist in a variety of simple ways assisting the individual to maintain
their lifestyle and continue to participate in their every day life. This may involve assisting
with tasks in the home such as meal preparation or domestic assistance as well as transport
or shopping assistance enabling the individual to attend appointments or get to destinations
safely.

Just Better Care can tailor the service to the needs of the individual.

Where to get help