• Macular degeneration is responsible for over 50% of all causes of sight impairment or severe sight impairment in the UK. It is characterised by progressive loss of central vision.

• Macular degeneration, often age related, is a painless condition affecting the eyes that usually results in a gradual loss of central vision over time. The retina can be visualised and fundoscopy reveals drusen (lipid and protein deposits under the retina) and retinal pigment abnormalities

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the term given to ageing changes without any other obvious cause that occurs in the central area of the retina (macula), sometimes with new blood vessel formation (wet AMD). AMD is the most common cause of blindness in the UK.

• Smoking is associated with x4 risk of developing AMD and there is also an association with cataract development.

• The DVLA do not need to be informed regarding macular degeneration, colour blindness or unilateral diabetic retinopathy if the person is still able to meet the visual standards for driving.

Resources

• Smoking and age related macular degeneration: the number of pack years of cigarette smoking is a major determinant of risk for both geographic atrophy and choroidal neovascularization (British Journal of Ophthalmology, 2006)

• Macular degeneration (NHS Choices) / Macular degeneration - age related (CKS) / Age-related macular degeneration (Moorfields eye hospital)