Abstract
Macular degeneration, a chronic, progressive eye disease, is the leading cause of blindness in older Americans. As the aging segment of society grows, the number of seniors diagnosed with macular degeneration will increase. Caring for individuals with this disease is a task that will be increasingly allotted to nurses. This article presents information on the disease process, risk factors, medical therapies, and nursing implications involved in caring for individuals with this condition. When nurses gain a thorough understanding of macular degeneration and the implications of living with this disease, quality care can be provided to an expanding segment of society.