Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a polygenic genetic disorder. AMD causes loss in the center of the field of vision. There are two types AMD: dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration is more common than wet macular degeneration. In dry macular degeneration, the center of the retina deteriorates. It involves breakage or thinning of the retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) present in the macula. RPE cells are sensitive to light and contain many photoreceptors. Atrophy is the death of RPE cells, which is why dry macular degeneration is also called atrophic macular degeneration. Wet macular degeneration is a more serious form of AMD, because the membrane underneath the retina thickens, then breaks causing
