Dry macular degeneration is a disease of the macula in which the cells in the macula gradually break down, often leading to some degree of visual loss. Dry macular degeneration is by far the more common type (versus wet macular degeneration), although of the two types, it is less likely to cause severe visual loss. Dry macular degeneration accounts for approximately 90% of all macular degeneration patients. The breakdown of the macular cells is believed to be due to impaired ability of certain cells in the macula to get rid of break-down products.
When we are younger, these products are easily taken care of, but as we get older, our ability to handle this process declines. Accumulation of these breakdown products leads to the formation of drusen, yellow deposits in the macula. Over time (years), it is hypothesized that drusen impair the normal transfer of nutrients between layers in the retina, resulting in macular damage and visual loss.