Macular degeneration is deterioration in the central area of the retina, called the macula. The macula is a part of the eye within the retina which is responsible for giving us sharp, central vision.   Because of the central location of the macula, the effects of macular degeneration can be debilitating to those who suffer from it.  Moreover, macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss for those over 50, effecting over 10 million Americans.