What exactly is macular degeneration in the eyes?

Vascular problem: Macular degeneration is a problem in the central retina, age related, in which the blood vessels feeding the most critical portions of vision either leak or dry up and cause permanent loss of vision. The cause is unknown and some treatment and vitamin supplements can be helpful. See your ophthalmologist if you suspect you have a problem.

HereditaryVisionLoss: Macular degeneration is an inherited predisposition to central vision loss where either extra blood vessels grow and leak ("wet") under the macula (the central part of the retina) or the macula thins (atrophies).