The leading cause of blindness in adults over 40 is the degeneration of the macula of the eyes, called destroys sharp, central vision that helps you see fine details. Those at the greatest risk of experiencing macular degeneration are smokers, baby boomers, women, and those with light-coloured irises. Macular degeneration disables this retinal function, leaving only a margin of peripheral vision. A lifetime of exposure to solar light causes degeneration of the macula tissue, unless they are regularly supplied with the dietary pigment, lutein.