Macular degeneration (AMD), is a progressive eye condition that gradually destroys central vision. This can make reading, driving a car and recognising faces, colors or fine details difficult or impossible.

AMD doesn’t typically lead to blindness; rather, it affects only your central vision (straight ahead) while not impacting peripheral (side vision).

1. Blurred or distorted vision

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of severe vision loss among those over 60, is one of the major contributors. Macular degeneration occurs when cells in the macula of the retina — light-sensitive tissue located at the back of your eyeball — begin to break down and distort sharp, central vision necessary for seeing straight ahead and fine details, yet does not impact side or peripheral vision.

AMD may start as blurry or distorted vision. You may notice straight lines appear crooked and it can be difficult to make out objects; these symptoms indicate dry macular degeneration with tiny yellow deposits known as drusen under your retina.

Over time, as these drusen grow in number and size, they begin to impair the retina’s ability to function normally and cause central vision loss until it becomes very blurry or distorted; at this stage many individuals seek medical advice.

In the wet form of macular degeneration, abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and leak blood and fluid onto it, lifting the macula and distorting central vision. It is more severe than its counterpart and often develops quickly compared to dry forms of macular degeneration.

No matter the form of macular degeneration, it’s vital that regular exams with your eye care professional take place. He or she can detect early symptoms by performing a comprehensive exam with dilation drops that allow a better view of the back of the retina.

Macular degeneration risks increase with age and family history of macular degeneration. Other risk factors for macular degeneration may include smoking, high blood pressure or cholesterol levels, obesity and having light skin tone/eye color. To safeguard your eyesight from macular degeneration it’s best to refrain from smoking, follow a healthy diet and visit an eye care professional regularly.

2. Difficulty reading

Macular degeneration affects a small area of retina known as the macula, providing us with central vision that allows us to read, drive, recognize faces and colors, see fine details and appreciate daily tasks such as reading or driving. Over time this disease gradually decreases this vital area of sight leading to decreased independence as daily tasks such as reading or driving become more challenging as well as difficulty recognising people or distinguishing the shapes of everyday objects – leading them down a downward spiral into dependency and eventual blindness.

Macular Degeneration (AMD) is one of the primary causes of severe vision loss among those aged 50 or above. It is an innocuous condition in which light-sensing cells of the macula begin to break down, leading to blurred central vision and reduced reading ability or straight lines appearing wavy or misshapen. If left untreated, this disease will ultimately progress and eventually take away your sight completely.

Early stages of macular degeneration can be identified by yellow deposits called drusen under the retina, known as “clumps of pigment.” While not painful or dangerous, they do indicate the disease is progressing and will eventually cause further damage to your macula. Your doctor can use the size and number of these clumps of pigment as indicators to gauge how quickly it progresses.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is vital that you visit an eye doctor immediately for an examination. Early treatment is key in slowing down progression. Your eye doctor will check for drusen and ask you to view an Amsler grid resembling a checkerboard pattern of straight lines; if any appear wavy it is an indicator of advanced macular degeneration which could result in further vision loss. Other risk factors for advanced macular degeneration may include having family history of it, smoking cigarettes, high blood pressure or cholesterol, obesity or having lighter skin tone than average; diet rich in lutein/zeaxanthin/vitamin C/E, zinc/copper may help lower risks associated with progressing macular degeneration further down its course.

3. Difficulty recognizing faces

Macular degeneration occurs when the central part of your retina deteriorates, which affects fine details such as reading and driving. When this happens, things such as straight ahead vision become difficult or impossible to see clearly and distinguishing colors/shapes can become challenging; however, peripheral or side vision remains undamaged by this disease.

Macular degeneration comes in two varieties, dry and wet. The dry form develops as retinal pigment epithelial layer in your eyeball thins due to age; when this happens, macula function begins deteriorating and you begin noticing symptoms of macular degeneration.

Early stages of dry AMD typically present as mild symptoms that go undetected, yet if you are at increased risk for advanced AMD your doctor may detect drusen (tiny clumps of yellow protein) or other retinal deposits during your dilated eye exam – larger drusen and pigmentary abnormalities are indicators that you are more at risk for advanced AMD.

As your condition advances, symptoms such as blurriness, dark areas or distortion will worsen over time. While this disease will likely impact only central vision, peripheral vision remains relatively undamaged so that you’ll still be able to drive or use computers without issue.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, make an appointment with an ophthalmologist immediately. Depending on how far macular degeneration has progressed, your physician may suggest optical coherence tomography (OCT) or angiography as an ocular procedure; an angiographer injects dye into your eye and captures images to assess whether blood vessels in your macula are leaking fluid or blood – information which will allow them to create the best treatment plan possible for you.

4. Difficulty driving

If you are having difficulty driving due to blurry or distorted central vision, this could be a telltale sign of macular degeneration in your eyes. Macular degeneration prevents your macula from functioning normally – the part responsible for central vision – from working correctly, which means reading, driving or doing other tasks that rely on central vision can become challenging or impossible altogether. You may notice blurriness when reading or driving as well.

If this is the case for you, make an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible. He or she will examine your eyes and have you view an Amsler grid containing straight lines; looking out for places where some straight lines appear wavy or missing as early indications of wet age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is the leading cause of blindness among people over 50 and may lead to complete loss of central vision over time. Most individuals still possess useful side or peripheral vision and can continue leading fulfilling lives despite age-related macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration comes in two varieties – dry and wet. In the dry form, tiny yellow protein deposits known as drusen appear under your retina and their size indicates how far along macular degeneration has progressed. Regular eye exams are important as this early diagnosis allows you to take action against it before any irreparable damage has taken place.

Wet macular degeneration is more serious and occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and begin leaking fluid or blood, causing abnormal macular degeneration to worsen by shrinking or even raising from its normal position in your retina. When this happens, sudden blurred vision may appear suddenly; at this stage it’s essential to visit an ophthalmologist immediately as medications may help slow its progress.