Macular Degeneration: What Happens

In AMD, the central part of the retina, called the macula, deteriorates. In the dry form, doctors often see yellow deposits called drusen in the macula. As dry AMD progresses, the macular tissue deteriorates, gradually shutting down the delivery of images to the brain. In the wet form, abnormal blood vessels grow. They leak blood and fluid (seen here), causing scarring and further damage to the macula. Both types lead to a central blind spot.