Macular degeneration refers to the progressive breakdown or deterioration of your retina’s macula, the central portion that allows for clear central vision that allows for reading, driving and seeing faces clearly. Macular degeneration does not interfere with peripheral (side) vision.

Macular degeneration does not cause pain. With wet macular degeneration, an abnormal network of leaking blood vessels may form beneath the retina and result in loss of central vision.

1. Difficulty Reading

macular degeneration symptoms often include difficulty reading. This is caused by the macula of your retina no longer working effectively, which allows you to see fine details clearly so you can read and drive without issue. With macular degeneration, central vision will likely become blurry or there may even be dark spots appearing at the center of your field of vision – these changes will only worsen over time as disease advances.

Though adapting to this new way of seeing can be challenging, there are ways to enhance the quality of your life. Modifying your environment by installing overhead lights and using e-readers with larger fonts and wider spacing may make tasks simpler, or use magnifying glasses to better see documents or signage.

Macular degeneration generally only reduces your central vision; side and peripheral vision remains intact, meaning reading may still be possible; yet you should still be able to walk freely around your house and meet personal needs as they arise.

Ninety percent of ARMD cases involve the dry form, where deposits called drusen accumulate under the retina and obscure vision. Ten percent are wet forms where abnormal blood vessels begin growing under the retina and release blood into the macula, leading to vision blurriness.

Your diet can help slow the progression of dry ARMD by including plenty of fruits and vegetables – particularly dark green leafy ones – along with fish, nuts, fatty acids, eye vitamins such as lutein and zeaxanthin, regular medical attention as well as sunglasses when outdoors in bright sunlight to protect them from UV and blue light that could potentially harm them.

2. Blurred Vision

People suffering from macular degeneration often suffer from blurry vision due to deterioration of a portion of the retina that controls central vision. This results in sharp but unclear central vision being lost but does not impair side (peripheral) or color vision.

Damage to the macula results from an inadequate number of cells collecting images for transmission to the brain. As these cells break down due to disease progression, permanent blindness could occur without treatment. If you notice changes in your vision, especially sudden ones, it is imperative that you consult an eye doctor immediately. They will conduct a comprehensive eye exam and may use an Amsler grid to detect early symptoms of macular degeneration. If your doctor suspects wet macular degeneration, they will administer fluorescein angiography dye to show blood vessels beneath your macula and inject an orange-red dye which highlights any areas of bleeding or leakage.

Wet macular degeneration is rare but often severe. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels form under the retina, leak, bleed and begin scarring over time causing distortion to vision as straight lines appear wavy and objects appear fuzzy.

As this condition cannot be cured, it’s essential that eyes are protected from UV and blue light exposure. Wear sunglasses when outdoors as this will limit how much UV light enters your eyes; additionally supplements like vitamin C, E, lutein and zeaxanthin may slow its progression.

3. Distortion in Vision

Macular degeneration refers to deterioration or breakdown of your retina, the thin layer of tissue at the back of your eye. When your macula no longer functions as expected, symptoms include blurriness and dark areas in your central vision; distortion such as straight lines that look crooked or wavy can also occur, making activities such as reading or sewing challenging without good central vision.

Macular degeneration comes in two varieties – dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration is the more prevalent form, usually manifesting itself when yellowish spots known as drusen form under the retina and over time become larger, leading to further damage of retinal tissues which ultimately leads to further vision loss due to decreased retinal thickness and vision thinning.

Wet macular degeneration is less frequent but more serious. When abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and begin leaking fluid quickly into it, causing rapid vision loss.

Monitoring vision daily and notifying a doctor if any distortion or blurriness arises can indicate wet macular degeneration. Your ophthalmologist should provide an Amsler grid that can assist in the detection process. Wet macular degeneration treatments such as anti-VEGF inhibitor medications like Avastin, Lucentis or Eylea may be helpful. These must be started early; hence why annual visits with your ophthalmologist, particularly when first diagnosed, are so vitally important.

4. Difficulty Driving

Macular degeneration affects central vision, making tasks such as reading or driving more challenging. This condition also impairs their ability to distinguish colors, faces, or details in objects around them; but it doesn’t lead to complete blindness – individuals suffering can use devices such as magnifying glasses and large print books for assistance when performing daily tasks.

As part of your regular eye exam, it’s essential to monitor your vision regularly so you can detect any changes. Your eye doctor may use an Amsler grid to detect distortion in straight lines or blurriness; additionally they may inject small doses of harmless orange-red dye into your arm to see how blood vessels in your retina respond – these treatments could potentially delay macular degeneration progression.

They cannot undo vision loss that has already taken place; therefore it is crucial that you visit an ophthalmologist regularly so they can monitor any changes to your vision as well as offer strategies for living with macular degeneration such as diet and lifestyle changes.

Some individuals with dry macular degeneration eventually progress into wet macular degeneration, which is more severe. This occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina in areas weakened by drusen and atrophy, and leak fluid or bleed beneath it, damaging central vision in the process.

Diets rich in vitamins A, C and E; zinc and copper may help lower your risk of wet macular degeneration. Wear sunglasses and hats with visors when exposed to direct sunlight as additional protection for your eyes.

5. Headaches

Macular degeneration causes blurry central vision and is one of the leading causes of blindness in America, caused by changes to the macula, an area of retina responsible for sharp and clear vision. One early symptom is blurred central vision; other symptoms may include straight lines appearing wavy or distorted or dark spots appearing centrally within your field of vision. People with family histories of macular degeneration are at an increased risk for the condition.

Eye pain may result from intensely focusing or squinting to compensate for vision loss, and can manifest in eyes, temples and brows. Once rested and no longer exerting themselves to see clearly, the discomfort typically subsides on its own. Macular degeneration itself may cause headaches in advanced cases because the brain attempts to compensate by working overtime to compensate for lost sight – leading to exhaustion.

If you are suffering from frequent headaches, it is crucial that you make an appointment with an ophthalmologist or optometrist immediately. Frequent headaches could be an indicator of advanced macular degeneration that requires treatment immediately – this will stop its progress from worsening further and slow its progress down significantly. You can reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy weight, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as omega-3 rich fish like tuna along with nutritional supplements.