The invention is based on the discovery that GSH is important in the treatment of macular degeneration and that by increasing the amount of intracellular GSH in the body, macular degeneration can be effectively treated and even prevented. To this end, the invention provides a method for treating macular degeneration by administration of an effective amount of a GSH enhancing agent to a human in need of such treatment. Preferably, the GSH enhancing agent is a non-toxic water-soluble cysteine derivative, most advantageously N-acetylcysteine, although other such agents may also be used.