The eye acts like a camera, with light passing through the clear structures in the front of the eye and focusing at the back of the eye, specifically on the retina. The retina acts like film in the camera, turning light into impulses that travel up the optic nerve to the brain. The brain then interprets these impulses. A specialized area of the retina called the macula is what allows us to see detailed, central vision. In macular degeneration, the macula is damaged and results in extreme loss of central vision. Research has not yet uncovered the cause of macular degeneration. A visit to your eye doctor is your greatest defense in helping to preserve your vision.