Macular degeneration is an age related damage that occurs in the center of the retina.  It becomes more and more common after age 60.  Sometimes there is a tendency for this to run in families, but not always.  When the center of vision is damaged reading, face recognition and color vision are lost.  We are desperately trying to find out how to prevent and treat macular degeneration.  There is a ‘dry’ form and a ‘wet’ form.  The ‘wet’ form is particularly devastating; vision loss is sudden and profound.  Fortunately, laser treatment may arrest the progression, and a new laser technique with a laser activated dye may arrest progression and prevent the same degree of loss of vision. Virginia Mason ophthalmologists are performing these treatments in eligible patients.