macular (adj.) refers broadly to anything characterized by or involving small spots, such as macular skin lesions composed of flat, discolored areas without elevation or depression. In eye disease, it describes conditions that affect the retinal macula, for example macular degeneration, macular edema, and macular holes, where pathology in this central retinal zone impairs fine visual tasks like reading and driving. The underlying noun macula denotes a small spot or blotch, either on the skin or in the eye, and in Ophthalmology is shorthand for macula lutea, the yellowish, oval central retinal region with the highest visual acuity.
|Term|Breakdown|Meaning|
|---|---|---|
|Allograft|allo‑ “other” + graft|The actual organ/tissue transplanted between genetically different individuals of same species.|
|Allotransplant|allo‑ + transplant|The graft or the act of transplanting between such individuals (verb or noun).|
|Autotransplantation|auto‑ “self” + transplantation|Transplant from one site to another in the same individual (autograft).|
|Isograft/syngeneic transplant|iso‑ “equal” + graft|Graft between genetically identical individuals (e.g., identical twins).|
|Xenotransplantation|xeno‑ “foreign” + transplantation|Transplant of cells/tissues/organs between different species (e.g., pig to human).|
|Alloimmunity / allogeneic|allo‑ + immunity / ‑genic|Immune responses directed against antigens from a genetically different member of the same species, as in graft rejection.|
latin “macular” is formed from Latin macula meaning “spot, stain” plus the adjectival suffix ‑ar “pertaining to.” The base noun macula has been used in English since about the 15th century for spots or blotches, especially on the skin or eye. In ophthalmic usage, macula lutea (“yellow spot”) appears in the 19th century for the central retinal area opposite the pupil where vision is most distinct. The adjective “macular” is attested by the early 1800s in the sense “spotted,” and by the late 1800s specifically as “pertaining to the macula lutea of the eye.”
A Word from MedlinePlus
Macular degeneration is an eye disorder that slowly destroys sharp, central vision. This makes it difficult to see fine details and read.
The disease is most common in people over age 55, which is why it is often called age-related macular degeneration (ARMD or AMD).
The retina is at the back of the eye. It changes light and images that enter the eye into nerve signals that are sent to the brain. A part of the retina called the macula makes vision sharper and more detailed. It is a yellow spot in the center of the retina. It has a high amount of two natural colors (pigments) called lutein and zeaxanthin.
AMD is caused by damage to the blood vessels that supply the macula. This change also harms the macula.
There are two types of AMD:
Dry AMD occurs when the blood vessels under the macula become thin and brittle. Small yellow deposits, called drusen, form. Almost all people with macular degeneration start with the dry form.
Wet AMD occurs in about 10% of people with macular degeneration. New abnormal and very fragile blood vessels grow under the macula. These vessels leak blood and fluid. This type of AMD causes most of the vision loss associated with the condition.
Health care providers are not sure what causes AMD. The condition is rare before age 55. It occurs mostly in people 75 years or older.
Risk factors for AMD are:
Family history of AMD
Being White
Cigarette smoking
High-fat diet
Being female
Symptoms
You may not have any symptoms at first. As the disease gets worse, you may have problems with your central vision.
SYMPTOMS OF DRY AMD
The most common symptom of dry AMD is blurred vision. Objects in the center part of your vision often look distorted and dim, and colors look faded. You may have trouble reading print or seeing other details. But you can see well enough to walk and do most daily activities.
As dry AMD gets worse, you may need more light to read or do everyday tasks. A blurred spot in the center of vision gradually gets larger and darker.
In the later stages of dry AMD, you may not be able to recognize faces until they are close.
SYMPTOMS OF WET AMD
The most common early symptom of wet AMD is that straight lines look distorted and wavy.
There may be a small dark spot in the center of your vision that gets larger over time.
With both types of AMD, central vision loss can occur quickly. If this happens, you will need to be seen right away by an ophthalmologist, preferably a retina specialist.
Exams and Tests
You will have an eye exam. Drops will be placed into your eyes to widen (dilate) your pupils. Your eye doctor will use special lenses to view your retina, blood vessels, and optic nerve.
Your eye doctor will look for specific changes in the macula and blood vessels and for drusen.
You may be asked to cover one eye and look at a pattern of lines called an Amsler grid. If the straight lines look wavy, it may be a sign of AMD. The American Macular Degeneration Foundation has an Amsler grid you can download along with instructions for how to check your vision at home. If you detect a problem with your vision, seek medical advice from your eye doctor as soon as possible.
Other tests that may be done include:
Using special dye and camera to look at blood flow in the retina (fluorescein angiogram)
Taking a photo of the inner lining of the eye (fundus photography)
Using light waves to view the retina (optical coherence tomography)
A test that measures the pigment in the macula
Treatment
If you have advanced or severe dry AMD, there are no proven treatments that can restore your vision.
If you have early AMD and are not a current or former smoker, a combination of certain vitamins, antioxidants, and zinc may prevent the disease from getting worse. But it cannot give you back vision that is already lost.
The combination is often called the “AREDS” formula. The supplements contain:
500 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C
400 international units (IU) of vitamin E
15 mg beta-carotene
80 mg of zinc
2 mg of copper
Only take this vitamin combination if your eye doctor recommends it. Make sure your eye doctor knows about any other vitamins or supplements you are taking. Smokers should not use this supplement.
AREDS may also benefit you if you have a family history and risk factors for AMD.
Lutein and zeaxanthin, which are substances found in green leafy vegetables, may also decrease your risk for age-related macular degeneration.
If you have wet AMD, your eye doctor may recommend:
Laser surgery (laser photocoagulation) — a small beam of light destroys the leaking, abnormal blood vessels.
Photodynamic therapy — a light activates a medicine that is injected into your body to destroy leaking blood vessels.
Special medicines that prevent new blood vessels from forming in the eye are injected into the eye (this is an uncomfortable but painless process).
Low-vision aids (such as special lenses) and therapy can help you use the vision that you have more effectively, and improve your quality of life.
Close follow-up with your eye doctor is important.
For dry AMD, visit your eye doctor once a year for a complete eye exam.
For wet AMD, you likely need frequent, perhaps monthly, follow-up visits.
Early detection of vision changes is important because the sooner you are treated, the better your outcome. Early detection leads to earlier treatment and often, a better outcome.
Treatments in development:
Stem cell research is showing promise in restoring some vision in AMD. But this type of treatment is still years away at this point. Similarly, gene therapy may also have a place in the treatment of AMD. Levodopa, while most commonly used to treat Parkinson disease, may have a beneficial effect on wet AMD.
Outlook (Prognosis)
AMD does not affect side (peripheral) vision. This means complete vision loss never occurs. AMD results in the loss of central vision only.
Mild, dry AMD usually does not cause disabling central vision loss.
Wet AMD often leads to significant vision loss.
In general, with AMD you may lose the ability to read, drive a car, and recognize faces at a distance. But most people with AMD can carry out daily tasks without much difficulty.
Monitoring for changes is important in managing AMD. Methods using artificial intelligence are being developed to detect changes earlier as well as make the diagnosis.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
If you have AMD, your eye doctor may recommend that you check your vision every day with an Amsler grid. Contact your eye doctor right away if the lines look wavy. Also contact your eye doctor if you notice other changes in your vision.
Prevention
Although there is no known way to prevent macular degeneration, leading a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of developing AMD:
Do not smoke
Maintain a healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in animal fat
Exercise regularly
Maintain a healthy weight
See your eye doctor regularly for dilated eye exams.
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Jacoba CMP, Kim IK, Roh M. Age-related macular degeneration. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 6.24.
Keenan TDL, Agrón E, Keane PA, et al. Oral antioxidant and lutein/zeaxanthin supplements slow geographic atrophy progression to the fovea in age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmology. 2025;132(1):14-29. PMID: 39025435 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39025435/.
Vemulakonda GA, Bailey ST, Kim SJ, et al. Age-related macular degeneration Preferred Practice Pattern. Ophthalmology. 2025;132(4):P1-P74. PMID: 39918524 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39918524/.
Review Date 7/24/2025
Updated by: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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