It's true that the most common form of macular degeneration is age-related but other types of macular degeneration affect much younger people, from teenagers and children to infants.

These different forms are known as juvenile macular degeneration, early-onset macular degeneration or macular dystrophy.

The macula is located at the back of the eye at the centre of the retina. It enables us to see what is directly in front of us and also allows us to see finer detail. So it plays a vital role in helping us to read, write and perform other detailed tasks. It also enables us to recognise faces and see colours.

When macular degeneration occurs, the light-sensitive cells at the centre of the macula become damaged, and they malfunction and die. This results in central vision becoming blurred while peripheral vision remains clear.

The different types of juvenile macular degeneration are caused by genetic mutations that affect the macular cells.

The commonest form is Stargardt's disease, which is estimated to affect about one in 10,000 people. It's inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning that a person has a one in four chance of inheriting the problematic gene.

Although symptoms may not start until someone is in their 30s or 40s, it's most common for symptoms to begin between the ages of seven and 12, with loss of central vision by the time they reach adulthood.

The second most common form of juvenile macular degeneration is Best's vitelliform retinal dystrophy. It's also inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, and a child has a one in two chance of inheriting the defective gene from their parents.

It's usually identified during childhood or teenage years and doesn't always affect both eyes equally. Sometimes good central vision can remain in one eye.

Information about other types of juvenile macular degeneration can be found at the Macular Degeneration Foundation.

In the UK, 220,000 people who are registered blind or partially sighted have age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The Royal National Institute of the Blind estimates the total number of people with AMD is closer to 400,000.

Central vision becomes blurred with symptoms similar to looking at a faded photograph. This loss of central vision makes it difficult for people affected to see what is directly in front of them and makes reading, writing, recognising faces and performing detailed tasks difficult.

Peripheral vision remains clear, so a person with juvenile macular degeneration does not develop total blindness. There is no pain or redness of the eyes.

Juvenile macular degeneration cannot be cured, but additional lighting and magnifiers can help to alleviate the symptoms. It's important to protect the eyes by eating healthily and avoiding ultraviolet light exposure.

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