Overview
Preserving your vision as you age
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss among people older than 50. The disorder occurs when the tissue at the back of the eye (retina) begins to break down as you age. You may notice a loss of sight in your central line of vision. This is because the cells in the center (macula) of the retina stop working.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Types and symptoms of macular degeneration
You might not know you have macular degeneration until your vision gets worse or your eye doctor spots changes during an exam. You can have macular degeneration in one eye or both.
Treatments and research
How we slow your vision loss
Vision loss you experience from macular degeneration is irreversible, but treatments can slow the progression of loss. Your eye care team talks with you about the best care options for you.
Treatments for dry macular degeneration include:
High doses of nutrients such as vitamins C and E, lutein, zinc and zeaxanthine
Low vision aids
Treatments for wet macular degeneration include:
Regular injections of a medicine called anti-VEGF (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor)
Low vision aids
Helping you see better with research
The eye doctors at UW Health study the causes of macular degeneration to improve care for you. We also test new treatments, including injections to restore lost vision. Learn more
Meet our team
Comprehensive team-based eye care
The macular degeneration specialists at UW Health include experts in ophthalmology, optometry and retina, macula and vitreous diseases.
Patient and support services
What you need to know about macular degeneration
Locations
Specialty eye care when you need it
Our eye care team provides macular degeneration care at UW Health clinics in Madison, Middleton, Janesville, Mauston and Prairie du Sac, and in Rockford and Freeport, Ill.