Macular degeneration is a prevalent eye disease that compromises central vision. While not causing complete blindness, macular degeneration makes reading, driving and other activities requiring straight ahead vision more challenging.

Macular degeneration comes in two varieties, dry and wet. Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak blood or fluid onto it.

Blurred or distorted central vision

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition affecting the macula – a small part of retina in the back of eye that controls central vision, color perception and fine detail – in later life. Over time, AMD causes thinned out maculas which result in blurred or distorted central vision and peripheral vision remaining relatively clear.

Macular degeneration manifests itself first through blurry central vision, caused by thinning and drying of cells in the macula. The macula contains millions of light-sensing cells which detect and interpret visual information; as macular degeneration progresses, these cells begin to break down and eventually stop working properly. Drusen deposits form under your retina – at first harmless but over time becoming larger and larger until eventually they lead to distortion of straight-ahead vision and blind spots.

Wet AMD is less frequent and occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and begin leaking fluid or blood. This condition, called macular edema, is usually indicative of advanced AMD and can rapidly reduce straight-ahead vision.

Though you might feel discomfort in your joints and muscles, the gradual deterioration of your macula may not be detectable until it starts interfering with your vision. Therefore, it is crucial that if any changes in vision arise for those over 65, visit an eye doctor immediately for assessment.

Macular degeneration can be prevented by taking certain vitamins and minerals, specifically antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, in high-dose formulations specifically tailored for this purpose. Furthermore, maintaining a healthy weight, refraining from smoking and excessive sunlight exposure should all also play a part in protecting against macular degeneration.

Difficulty recognizing faces

Macular degeneration often begins with blurry vision and a haze in the center of your vision, before progressing to more advanced symptoms like difficulty recognising faces or objects and straight lines appearing bent or wavy or colors looking muted – these should all be signs that it is time to visit Dr. Mary Espy for an eye exam, even if your eyes appear healthy.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye condition that gradually destroys sharp central vision as you age. Affecting the macula of the retina – which converts light into nerve signals sent directly to your brain for reading, driving and other activities that require detailed focus – AMD comes in two varieties, “dry” and “wet.” Dry AMD accounts for 90% of cases; its hallmark symptoms include macula atrophy with yellow deposits beneath the retina known as drusen formation thinning out over time thinning and breaking down as well as yellow deposits called “drusen”.

Early signs of macular degeneration don’t cause vision loss directly; rather, they act as an early indicator that advanced macular degeneration may develop later on. At higher risk for wet AMD are those with large drusen in both eyes, prominent dry macular degeneration or abnormal blood vessels under the retina in one eye (“wet” form).

Even though there is no cure for macular degeneration, you can slow its progress by taking vitamin supplements, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, quitting smoking and following your doctor’s instructions regarding other conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease. In addition, make regular visits with Dr. Mary Espy so they can monitor your symptoms and ensure you receive treatment when necessary.

Your doctor can use various tests, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), to detect wet AMD during an eye exam. OCT involves injecting dye into your arm, and taking images of your retina at different wavelengths of light to reveal any fluid or blood under the retina.

Difficulty reading

Macular degeneration refers to any condition which compromises or breaks down the macula, an area at the back of your eye which enables you to see fine details clearly, including threading a needle or driving. As macula degeneration progresses, blurriness, dark areas or distortion in central vision may occur which make reading, recognising faces or driving difficult; however, peripheral (side) vision remains undisturbed and this does not result in complete blindness.

Age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of severe vision loss among those over 60, is an incurable progressive condition affecting a small area of retina known as the macula. Comprised of millions of light-sensing cells that provide central vision services like reading and recognising faces as well as colours and shapes, macular degeneration compromises our central vision which we rely on daily for tasks like reading and recognising colours and shapes.

As macula degeneration progresses, it loses its ability to work properly and people with ARMD may experience blurriness or develop dark spots over time that worsen over time. While this may indicate advanced ARMD development, if your central vision continues to get blurrier it’s important that you consult your physician about using an Amsler grid for eye examination as this series of straight lines can often give telltale signs that something more serious may be going on – including becoming wavy which is an indicator that advanced ARMD may indicate advanced stages as it can reveal advanced stages of disease development.

At least 10% of cases involve abnormal blood vessels forming beneath the retina and leaking fluid or blood into the macula, known as wet macular degeneration, leading to rapid visual loss compared to its dry form. Wet AMD tends to affect people who have a family history of it, are smokers, have high blood pressure or cholesterol, are obese, caucasians or have one eye affected more frequently. It is best to see your ophthalmologist regularly so they can detect early changes and monitor any possible developments.

Difficulty driving

If reading, driving and seeing faces become difficult due to blurry central vision, you may be experiencing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD only affects central vision – not peripheral or side vision – due to changes to part of your retina called macula; central vision allows people to see straight ahead, read books etc. If left untreated, AMD can lead to permanent central vision loss in both eyes.

Wet age-related macular degeneration (WAMD), is an eye disease that results from abnormal blood vessel formation beneath the retina that leaks fluid, producing blind spots in your central vision quickly and leading to faster decline than dry AMD. Although less common than its dry counterpart, WAMD causes faster and more significant vision loss than its dry counterpart. Ten percent of patients suffering macular degeneration experience Wet Macular Degeneration compared with five percent with Dry AMD.

Your eye doctor can identify early signs of macular degeneration in your central vision using an Amsler grid – a grid with straight lines resembling a checkerboard pattern – while using fluorescein dye, which allows better visualization of blood vessels beneath your retina. It is an invaluable test which allows him or her to assess if wet AMD has set in before you lose vision.

Attaining macular degeneration requires eating a diet rich in antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, found naturally in foods like kale, raw spinach and collard greens; or taking nutritional supplements containing these antioxidants such as vitamin E/C/zinc/omega-3 fatty acid supplements may also help; studies indicate this. The best way to manage macular degeneration is through regular eye exams with your optometrist or retina specialist; especially important if there is family history involved or lifestyle factors like smoking/obesity risk.