Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in Iowa and nationwide. Opthalmologist Dr. Del Correy says it affects some 13-million Americans, many of them senior citizens. There is no cure for the most common form of macular degeneration, so Dr. Correy says prevention is key. He recommends Iowans get annual eye exams, wearing U-V ray-blocking sunglasses and perhaps, taking antioxidants to help prevent or slow the progression of the disease. Dr. Correy says “The macula is basically what we do everything with: we see each other, we drive, we read. And if they lose that it really takes away a person’s independence.” Correy says the disease brings vision loss but not total blindness. He says a person with both maculas affected, sitting directly across from another person, would not be able to see that person’s face, but they could see everything around the person. Correy says the macula enables us to read, watch television, drive…anything that requires straight-ahead vision. Symptoms include distorted vision, an inability to see objects clearly and a dark area appearing at the center of your vision.