Macular Degeneration is a degeneration in the central (most important) part of the retina (the fovea, or, the "film" in the eye’s camera). Age related Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. As it advances it clouds, distorts, and "blanks out" the central vision as represented in the photo. Contact your eye doctor immediately if you have these symptoms!

Diabetic Retinopathy is caused in some diabetic patients, and is due to a leakage of fluids and lipids, and swelling (edema) and/or branching out of tiny blood vessels in the retina. As it progresses the vision becomes distorted, cloudy, and dark spots may float in front of the central vision. To some extent it affects half of all Americans diagnosed with diabetes. If left untreated it will result in blindness; but, with timely treatment, 90 percent of those with advanced diabetic retinopathy can be saved from going blind. Diabetic retinopathy as it progresses appears somewhat as represented in the photo.