Is macular degeneration a chronic condition?

Answer 1

Macular degeneration is a loss of central or straight ahead vision, making it difficult to read or to recognize faces. The photoreceptor cells of the macula which are also responsible for our sharp, detailed vision degenerate or die. The less photoreceptor cells the worse the vision. However, it is not blindness. Peripheral or side vision is unaffected. The progression of age-related macular degeneration is different for each person and for each eye. Those with wet macular degeneration experience a more sudden and severe vision loss than those with dry macular degeneration.

Answer 2

I guess it would depend on who you ask. Most eye doctors would say that the changes to the macula that cause macular degeneration will not reverse or get better. Thats how degenerative diseases work - tissues degenerate.

However, many patients have emailed me stating that their vision has improved with various lifestyle changes, nutritional supplements, and/or complementary medicine. Much will depend on how severe one's macular degeneration is and how much damage has occured to the cone cells.