Macular Degeneration is the physical disturbance of the center of the retina known as the macula. The macula is the part of the retina which enables acute and detailed vision. The macula is used for reading, driving, recognizing faces, and watching television. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness in people over age 55. Surgery to remove the scar produced by macular degeneration has been successful in younger patients, but less successful in older patients.

Different forms of macular degeneration may occur in younger patients. These non-age related cases may be linked to heredity, diabetes, nutritional deficits, head injury, infection, or other factors. The Schepens scientists are undertaking the basic research necessary to determine the causes of these disorders. Finding the cause is the first important step toward prevention and cure.