Final answer:
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of blindness due to the death of cells supporting the macula of the eye. This condition, unlike cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, does not involve the buildup of arterial plaque.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness in the Western hemisphere, affecting about 15 million people in the United States and 30 million worldwide. This condition leads to the death of retinal pigment epithelium cells, which support and nourish the macula of the eye. The macula is crucial for high visual acuity, containing a high concentration of cones — the photoreceptor cells responsible for color vision and fine detail. As the epithelial cells die, the macula deteriorates, leading to a growing black spot in the patient's central vision.
Coronary Artery Disease and Other Cardiovascular Conditions
While CVD (Cardiovascular Disease) includes various heart and blood vessel diseases, coronary artery disease involves atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaques in the coronary arteries. Conditions like angina, myocardial infarction (commonly known as a heart attack), stroke, and peripheral artery disease are all outcomes of atherosclerosis.