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macular degeneration

American  

noun

Ophthalmology.
  1. degeneration of the central portion of the retina, resulting in a loss of sharp vision.


macular degeneration British  

noun

  1. pathological changes in the macula lutea, resulting in loss of central vision: a common cause of blindness in the elderly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

macular degeneration Scientific  
/ măkyə-lər /
  1. A progressive condition, usually seen in the elderly, characterized by a gradual loss of vision in the central area of the visual field and eventual blindness.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Apellis has two approved drugs: Empaveli, which is approved to treat two rare kidney diseases, and Syforvre, which is used by patients with geographic atrophy, an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Vivien Hillgrove, writer, producer and first-time director on this film, was enjoying a 50-year career of movie editing when she started losing her sight to a form of macular degeneration.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

She has macular degeneration and is considered legally blind, though she has been able to function at home.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 30, 2025

In macular degeneration, the light-sensitive photoreceptor cells in the central retina deteriorate, leaving only limited peripheral vision.

From Science Daily • Oct. 22, 2025

In the last years of her life, she lost her vision due to macular degeneration.

From Underground by Dreyfus, Suelette