Age related macular degeneration, commonly referred to as AMD, occurs when a central portion of the retina called the macula wears down over time. It’s one of the leading causes of severe vision problems among those over 50.

At first, symptoms may not be easily noticeable but gradually worsen over time. You might notice straight lines becoming wavy or you have difficulty reading, driving, and recognising faces.

1. Blurred or distorted vision

Macular degeneration primarily impacts central vision, used for reading, driving and seeing fine details of faces. It may range from mild changes in your central vision clarity to complete loss of “straight ahead” vision. Peripheral (side) vision typically remains intact, while macular degeneration is divided into two types – dry & wet macular degeneration. Dry macular degeneration occurs when light-sensing cells in the macula degenerate and cause distortion or blurriness to straight lines. Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and leak blood or fluid, quickly leading to central vision loss. Both forms may share similar symptoms such as blurriness or distortion of straight lines, dark spots in your central field of vision and difficulty with fine detail vision.

Your eye doctor can spot macular degeneration during a regular eye exam by searching for drusen – small yellow spots under your retina that indicate early stages of macular degeneration – as well as conducting vision tests using Amsler grids, patterns of straight lines that look similar to checkerboards; if these straight lines become wavy or crooked it could be an indicator of macular degeneration.

Your doctor can treat less common forms of macular degeneration with laser therapy designed to seal off leaky blood vessels beneath the retina. Although not curative, laser treatments may slow the rate of central vision loss over time. Unfortunately lost central vision cannot be restored, but low vision devices can help maximize what remains.

2. Increased sensitivity to light

Age related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD) is a progressive eye condition that gradually damages sharp central vision needed for reading and driving, gradually degenerating it until none remains. There are two forms of AMD: dry AMD and wet AMD. Dry AMD results from gradual macula thinning due to abnormal yellow deposits called drusen which eventually forms blurry spots at the centre of your vision and makes straight lines appear crooked; central vision may become wavy or shadowy and you may find difficulty distinguishing colors or light.

Wet AMD occurs when blood vessels form under the retina and leak blood and fluid into it, damaging its cells and leading to vision loss in central areas. While dry AMD is well understood, its causes remain obscure.

People of age 55 or later are at greater risk for AMD. Women, Caucasians, smokers and those with a family history of macular degeneration appear to be particularly prone to AMD; environmental and genetic factors both play a part in its development.

Your doctor can detect macular degeneration either by looking at your eyes with a chart that tests central vision or by performing a special procedure known as angiography. During this test, dye will be injected into a vein in your arm and photographed as it travels through blood vessels to your retina – this allows them to see any new vessels or leaky fluid under the retina. Another test used to detect wet macular degeneration is optical coherence tomography (OCT), in which photos will be taken of your eye without dye to see if there are any areas of abnormality.

3. Changes in your field of vision

Age related macular degeneration will cause difficulty seeing close up and straight ahead, since the disease destroys central vision, making reading, driving and other daily activities more challenging. But don’t panic just yet: this condition does not lead to total blindness – many people with age related macular degeneration still possess useful peripheral vision and should consult their doctor as soon as they notice any change in your field of vision; earlier treatment means less severe damage will result.

Macular degeneration comes in two varieties – wet and dry. Most cases of macular degeneration are the latter type; this involves retinal tissue thinning and degradation as well as yellow deposits known as drusen underneath the retina. At first, these changes are undetectable without an eye exam but if straight lines start appearing wavy or missing could be an early indicator of macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration also includes abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina that leaks fluid or bleeds, increasing your risk of central vision loss. When this occurs, it’s wise to visit a doctor quickly because light-sensitive cells in your macula could become damaged and destroy central vision altogether.

Based on your situation, angiography or optical coherence tomography (OCT) tests may be recommended to you. Both involve injecting dye into an arm vein before taking pictures of your retina as it passes through. This allows doctors to see all of the blood vessels beneath your retina that might be leaking fluid or blood and detect leaky vessels more effectively.

4. Increased sensitivity to glare

Macular degeneration occurs when the macula (central area of retina) begins to thin and degenerate over time, impairing our central vision that allows us to read, drive, thread needles or identify faces as well as peripheral sight – providing peripheral awareness around us. Although it often starts slowly over time, macular degeneration often goes undetected until later stages when its symptoms may become more noticeable; early intervention increases chances for saving some central vision.

Dry macular degeneration (DMD) is the most prevalent form of AMD, typically manifesting itself through age-related macula atrophy. Other causes may include smoking, high cholesterol levels or medical conditions that affect vision; its symptoms often go undetected for some time until symptoms such as blurred central vision or straight lines appearing wavy appear – or you notice dark spots in the center of your vision appear as early warnings signs.

Risk factors associated with macular degeneration include age, family history, gender and ethnicity. Furthermore, other risk factors include eating an inadequate amount of fruits and vegetables, smoking and high blood pressure. Regular eye exams as well as leading a healthy lifestyle are necessary in order to slow the progression of this condition.

Stargardt’s disease, an inherited form of macular degeneration that typically strikes children or adolescence during early development, can be diagnosed through an eye exam and usually affects both eyes. While less severe than other forms of macular degeneration, Stargardt’s can still cause significant loss of central vision if left untreated; symptoms to watch for include difficulty seeing in low light situations; blurry or distorted vision and the appearance of small dark areas within your field of vision as early warning signals.

5. Loss of central vision

Macular degeneration progresses to its later stages, it may cause the loss of central vision but does not lead to total blindness due to remaining parts of retina around macula providing “side” vision. There are two primary forms of macular degeneration – dry and wet macular degeneration. Dry macular degeneration involves gradual thinning and deposits called drusen while wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels form (neovascularization) underneath retina which leak fluid or bleed, leading to more rapid and severe decline than seen with dry form of AMD.

Macular degeneration’s causes remain poorly understood; however, risk factors including age, family history of macular degeneration, smoking, high blood pressure or cholesterol levels and light eye color could increase your chances of contracting the condition.

Your doctor can detect macular degeneration early with a comprehensive dilated eye exam, looking out for signs such as drusen or pigment clumping beneath the retina, as well as asking you to view an Amsler grid resembling a checkerboard; any irregularities or gaps appear wavy are signs of macular degeneration.

Dependent upon the severity of your macular degeneration, additional testing may be necessary. Your doctor will inject dye into a vein in your arm and take photographs of your retina – this procedure is called fundus fluorescein angiography; its purpose is to detect leaky blood vessels as well as assess any damage done to macula tissue. Your physician can also use optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging scans without injecting dye to detect fluid or blood beneath retina without injecting dye directly into retina.