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Macula: Anatomy, Function, and Macula-related Conditions
Published on February 26th, 2024
Australia
The macula is an area at the centre of the retina, which is a layer of light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The retina takes in light that the eye sees and translates these into electrical signals. The function of the macula is to process central vision, which is the vision directly in front of us. The macula anatomy includes the fovea, foveola and cone cells. It is important to take care of the macula as it plays a crucial role in helping a person to see clearly and carry out everyday tasks such as reading, writing and driving. Macula-related eye conditions can include age-related macular degeneration, macular holes, macular edema, Stargardt disease and macular pucker. To take care of the macula and eye health in general, it is recommended to get a regular eye test with an optometrist, eat a healthy and balanced diet, exercise regularly and quit smoking.
What is the Macula of the Eye?
The macula of the eye is an area in the centre of the retina that is responsible for processing central vision. The retina is the light-sensitive part of the eye that receives light and turns this light into electrical signals to send to the brain so a person can see. The macula is the part of the retina that processes central vision, meaning what is directly in front of the eye or straight ahead.
What is the Structure of the Macula?
The macula's structure is complex and includes parts such as the fovea, foveola and cone cells. A crucial part of the macula anatomy is photoreceptor cells, which are light-sensitive cells that help a person to see. The photoreceptor cells in the macula are cone cells, which help a person see colour and fine detail, according to the Bright Focus Organisation. The fovea is a pit in the macula that helps with visual acuity. The foveola is part of the fovea and is where the cone cells of the macula are located.
What is the Colour of the Macula?
The macula is generally a yellowish colour. According to Whitehead AJ, Mares JA, Danis RP. in the paper Macular pigment: a review of current knowledge, xanthophylls lutein and zeaxanthin are responsible for the yellow colour of the macula.
Where is the Macula Located in the Eye?
The macula is located in the retina part of the eye, a layer of light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The retina takes in light that the eye sees and translates these into electrical signals to send to the brain. The macula is located near the centre of the retina.
Is the Macula Part of the Retina?
Yes, the macula is part of the retina. The macula and the retina work together to help a person see. The retina takes light the eye sees and turns these electrical signals to send to the brain. The macula helps the retina by processing central vision.
What are the Regions of the Macula?
Several regions or areas make up the macula, including the fovea, foveola and the umbo. The regions of the macula are listed below.
- Fovea: The fovea is a depression or pit in the centre of the macula that is responsible for visual acuity, or how sharp and clear a person's vision is. The fovea contains cone cells that help a person see colour and fine details, according to the Bright Focus Organisation.
- Foveola: The foveola is a part of the fovea where cone cells are densely packed, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
- Umbo: The umbo is a small depression in the foveola and is considered the centre of the macula, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
What is the Function of the Macula in the Eye?
The macula in the eye serves a critical function related to central vision. The macula is responsible for central vision, which is what a person sees in front of them, straight ahead. Central vision is hugely important to vision, it is what allows people to recognise faces, and see colours and shapes clearly, according to New York Presbyterian. Central vision helps people perform everyday tasks such as reading and driving. The macula’s main function is to process sharp central vision.
How Does the Macula Help the Human Eye See?
The macula helps the human eye see by processing central vision, as well as helping a person to see colour. The macula functions like the rest of the retina, by taking light that the human eye sees and translating it into electrical signals that the brain can then turn into images, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The photoreceptor cells known as cone cells react to light and turn this light into electrical signals. The cone cells are also responsible for colour vision.
Does the Macula Help the Eyes See Colour?
Yes, the macula helps the eyes to see colour. The cells in the eyes that are responsible for colour vision are photoreceptor cells called cone cells. Cone cells are located in the macula and have light-sensitive pigments that allow the eyes to recognise colour, according to the American Optometric Association. The cone cells are sensitive to either green, blue or red light.
What are the Different Ways to Take Care of the Macula?
The ways to take care of the macula revolve around taking care of your overall general health, which in turn helps to take care of your eyes. The ways to take care of the macula and maintain eye health include attending regular eye tests with an optometrist, exercising regularly, eating a healthy and balanced diet and quitting smoking. The ways to take care of the macula are listed below.
- Attending regular eye tests with an optometrist: Attending regular eye tests with an optometrist is a crucial step in taking care of the macula. An eye test allows an optometrist to assess the health of the macula and identify any potential issues with it.
- Exercising regularly: Exercising regularly is a way to take care of your overall health, and can also contribute to maintaining good eye health. Exercising regularly involves activities such as running, going to the gym, or playing sports, which helps maintain weight and overall health. Exercising regularly also reduces the chances of developing certain diseases.
- Eating a healthy and balanced diet: Eating a healthy and balanced diet, including leafy greens, omega-3, fruits and vegetables, is important in taking care of overall health and the health of the eye, including the macula. Eating a healthy and balanced diet means that the body is ingesting important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A and vitamin C, that can contribute to maintaining good eye health.
- Quitting smoking: Quitting smoking is a way to take care of your overall health, but is also a very important step in taking care of eyes and macula. According to the University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine, smoking can increase the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.
How Important is a Regular Eye Exam for the Macula?
Regular eye exams are of the utmost importance for assessing the health of the macula, as they allow an optometrist to examine this part of the eye, and diagnose potential issues with it. Eye tests ensure that an optometrist can keep track of macula health.
How Can Oscar Wylee Help Take Care of Your Eye?
Oscar Wylee optometrists can help to take care of your eye, including the macula, by providing eye tests, diagnosing eye problems, and providing treatment. An eye test allows an optometrist to assess vision and examine the structures of the eye. If one of our optometrists detects an issue in the eye, they can help provide treatment for this issue. Book online or visit an Oscar Wylee store near you to see one of our dedicated optometrists.
Can You Still See Without a Macula?
You would not be able to see well without a macula, as the macula is an important structure in helping the eye to take in light and transmit this light to the brain. The macula is also responsible for the procession of central vision. Without central vision, it would be hard to recognise faces or conduct everyday activities such as reading and writing.
Does Wearing Prescription Glasses Help Protect the Macula?
Wearing prescription glasses will not generally help to protect the macula, as prescription glasses are vision correction devices. Prescription glasses typically refer to optical glasses in which a power is put over a lens to help a person see better. There are prescription sunglasses, as well as non-prescription glasses and other eyewear such as goggles, that can protect the eyes, and in turn the macula.
Can Macula Repair Itself?
Whether the macula can repair itself depends upon what damage has been done to it and how severe the damage is. In the case of age-related macular degeneration, the macula can not heal itself. The macula may heal itself in the case of macular holes, however, according to the University of Chicago Medicine, between 4% and 11.5% of macular holes may heal and close up on their own.
What is the Difference Between Macula and Fovea?
There is no great difference between the macula and the fovea as the fovea is a part of the macula. The macula is an area in the centre of the retina. The fovea is a pit or depression in the macula, responsible for good visual acuity.
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