Glossary of Macular Degeneration Terms

Amsler Grid: A chart of straight black lines used to monitor any changes in vision such as wavy lines, distortion, or blurriness.

Angiogenesis:The formation of new blood vessels.

Anti-angiogenesis: A substance that stops blood vessels from developing.

Atrophic macular degeneration: Another name for dry macular degeneration

Avastin: belongs to a class of drugs called Anti-VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor). These types of drugs reduce the growth of abnormal blood vessels - in tumors and in wet macular degeneration.

Bilberry: A berry that is native to Northeastern Europe, similar to blueberries. Known for helping with eye health.

Bruch's Membrane: One of the three layers of tissue that provides oxygen and nutrition to the retina and carries away waste.

Carotenoids: A group of lipids found in yellow and orange colored fruits and vegetables and in green leafy vegetables. Beta-carotene and alpha-carotene are responsible for the orange color of carrots, and lycopene for the red color of tomatoes. They are antioxidants that protect against free radical damage.

Choroid: A layer of the retina that contains blood vessels that nourish the retina. Is the only blood supply for the macula.

Choroidal Neovascularization: New blood vessels growing into the choroid.

Cones: Specialized light-sensitive cells in the retina that are responsible for sharp central vision and color.

Cornea: the clear front surface of the eye.

CCTV: closed circuit television that uses a special camera and monitor that allows you to view any reading material or object with adjustable magnification and contrast.

Drusen: Tiny yellow or white deposits in the retina

Dry AMD: The most common form of AMD with different stages and symptoms.

Fluorescein Angiography: A test to examine the blood vessels, the circulation in the retina and the choroid as well as identify any leaks. A special dye is injected into an arm vein and as the dye passes through the blood vessels of the eye pictures are taken.

Fovea: The central part of the macula that provides the sharpest vision.

Low Vision: Visual loss that cannot be corrected with prescription eyeglasses or surgery.

Lutein: A carotenoid that is found in vegetables and fruits. It protects cell against the damaging effects of free radicals.

Macula: A very small area in the center of the retina thats responsible for detailed vision and straight ahead or central vision

Macular Pigment:: High concentration of two antioxidants or carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, found in the macula and protect the eye from the damaging effects of blue light and free radicals

Neovascularization: Growth of new blood vessels

Nonexudative macular degeneration: Means that the macula is not exuding or leaking any blood; another name for dry macular degeneration

Ophthalmologist: A medical doctor who has been trained in eye diseases

Optometrist: Must earn a Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited optometry school and pass the appropriate exams administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. Examine people’s eyes to diagnose vision problems and may prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses or other treatments, such as vision therapy or low-vision rehabilitation.

Optician: Specialize in the design, fitting, and dispensing of eyeglasses, contact lenses, low vision aids, and prosthetic ocular devices based on the prescription from an Ophthalmologist or Optometrist

Peripheral Vision: Side vision

Photocoagulation:The coagulation or clotting of tissue using a laser which produces light in order to seal off bleeding or leaking blood vessels.

Photodynamic therapy: a therapy for wet AMD in which a light-sensitive medicine called verteporfin (Visudyne) is injected into the bloodstream. The Visudyne collects in the abnormal blood vessels under the macula and the laser light is then shone into the eye, which activates the Visudyne and causes it to create blood clots that block the abnormal blood vessels.

Photoreceptors: A group of cells specialized to sense or receive light.

Retina: The light sensitive layer of tissue that lines the entire back of the eyeball; it sends the visual messages throught the optic nerve to the brain

Retinal Pigment Epithelium: One of three layers of tissue that lies beneath the retina; delivers oxygen to the rod and cone cells in the macula and also retrieves wast from the macula.

Rods: Cells located in the retina that provide side vision and the ability to see objects in dim light (night vision)

Scotoma: A blind spot in the center of your vision

Subfoveal: Beneath the fovea, the small center portion of the macula

Visudyne: An FDA approved drug (verteporfin) that is a photosensitive dye that allows the physician to use a cool laser light beam to treat wet macular degeneration

Wet AMD: Macular degeneration that involves the growth of new blood vessels that grow underneath the macula. These new blood vessels bleed and leak fluid, causing the macula to bulge, causing distortion of central vision. This type of macular degeneration causes more severe and sudden vision loss.

Zeaxanthin: One of two pigments prevalent in the macula. Along with lutein, they are called the macular pigment. The macular pigment provides protection to the retina from the damages of free radicals caused by sunlight.