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Macular Disease

  • Macular Degeneration
    • About Macular Degeneration
      • How The Eye Works
    • What Happens?
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      • Lifestyle
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        • Nutrient Content of Foods
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      • Wet Macular Degeneration
      • Dry Macular Degeneration
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    • About Diabetic Retinopathy
      • How the Eye Works
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      • Diabetes and the Eye
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    • Other Macular Diseases
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    How The Eye Works

    The eye works very much like an old style camera. The front of the eye, comprising the cornea, iris, pupil and lens focuses the image onto the retina, which lines the back of the eye. The retina is sensitive to light and acts like the film in the camera, capturing images and then sending them via the optic nerve to the brain, where images are interpreted.  

     

    MDFA_WebImages_2015_MD-2.jpg

    Diagram of how the eye works

     

    The macula is the name given to the area at the very centre of the retina. This region is responsible for detailed central vision and most colour vision. It is responsible for the ability to read, recognize faces, drive a car, see colours clearly and any other activity that requires fine vision. The rest of the retina is called the peripheral retina. It is used to see general shapes and provides 'get-about' vision which is also called side vision and peripheral vision.

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