Age Related Macular Degeneration
The macula is the area of the retina responsible for central, fine vision. AMD causes this area of the retina to deteriorate and not function properly, resulting in poor central vision. In turn, poor central vision can cause difficulty reading, watching TV, recognizing faces, driving, etc. Peripheral vision is not affected by macular degeneration. It is very common, affecting about one in seven people over the age of 50 to some degree.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy is damage to the retina caused by complications of diabetes, which can eventually lead to blindness. It is an ocular manifestation of diabetes, a systemic disease, which affects up to 80 percent of all patients who have had diabetes for 10 years or more.
Epiretinal Membranes
Epiretinal membrane is a disease of the eye in response to changes in the vitreous humor or more rarely, diabetes. It is also called macular pucker. Sometimes, as a result of immune system response to protect the retina, cells converge in the macular area as the vitreous ages and pulls away in posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). PVD can create minor damage to the retina, stimulating fluid release, inflammation, and leucocyte response.
