Age-Related Macular Degeneration

As with a camera, light rays are concentrated by the lens and end up on film, so in the eye, the reflected light from the objects passes through the optic system of the eye and reaches the retina.

The retina covers most of the inner surface of the eye and is responsible for the conversion of visual stimuli into nerve impulses, which will reach the brain for processing and recognition, via the optic nerve.

The central area of the retina called the "macula lutea" (because of the yellowish appearance) and is responsible for central vision.

The macula can be affected by many diseases and at various different stages of life. The most frequent seems to be a condition that occurs in advanced ages and is called "age-related macular degeneration."

Due to the interaction of our body with oxygen, some harmful substances are produced, which in total are called "free radicals". These substances (which can cause a wide range of serious diseases in all organs of the human body) seems to play a key role in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration.