Preventing Macular Degeneration In the center of the retina, there is a macula with a diameter of 3 millimeters. It is a visual tissue that plays a crucial role in the eyes. The breakdown of light-sensitive cells within it is one factor leading to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the main cause of vision loss and blindness in the elderly. According to reports from the U.S. National Eye Institute, research has confirmed that high-energy blue light from sunlight has the strongest damaging effect on the retina. However, lutein and zeaxanthin in the macula can absorb blue light and remove free radicals, thus playing a protective role for the retina.