Macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition affecting the center of your retina called the macula and characterised by gradual decline of central vision, loss of detail in straight ahead view, and color distortion.

AMD comes in two forms – Dry AMD and Wet AMD. Wet AMD can progress more quickly due to abnormal blood vessels under the retina forming which bleed and scar, while Dry AMD progresses more gradually over time.

Blurred or hazy vision

If you notice straight lines becoming crooked or objects becoming blurry, these could be early indicators of macular degeneration – an eye disease which affects central vision which allows you to clearly see fine details when driving and other important activities. If this occurs to you, seek medical advice immediately – sooner it’s caught the less damage will be done over time to your sight.

Macular degeneration occurs when light-sensitive cells in your retina weaken over time, sending detailed images directly from behind your eye back into your brain and providing you with direct sight without distortions. It allows you to see objects clearly without distortion.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) comes in two varieties, dry and wet. Around 85-89% of people living with AMD have the dry form, in which yellow deposits called drusen slowly build up behind your retina over time without initially leading to vision loss; they’re often undetected without an in-depth eye exam being performed on you.

As these drusen proliferate, they can cause vision loss by destabilizing your retina. One of the first symptoms of dry macular degeneration, blurry or hazy vision may appear in either eye.

Your doctor can diagnose macular degeneration with a comprehensive eye exam that includes dilation of both eyes. They’ll use diagnostic tools such as dilation to test for retinal damage. An eye care specialist may suggest nutritional supplements or changes to diet that contain plenty of lutein and zeaxanthin-rich foods like dark leafy green vegetables to slow progression.

Difficulty reading

Macular degeneration often manifests itself in difficulty reading. This is caused by macula thinning and as the disease advances it may become harder to distinguish between different shapes and colors, particularly against backgrounds with distracting objects like trees or cars on the road. People living with macular degeneration should arrange items in their home according to contrast in order to ease reading; additionally it’s essential that regular eye exams allow your doctor to inspect your central vision for changes that may have taken place over time.

Dry and wet macular degeneration do not cause pain. An early sign of dry AMDR may include blurry central vision when reading or looking at faces; this effect usually goes away in bright light; if light-sensing cells continue to die out too rapidly, people may develop an increasingly blind spot at the center of their field of vision.

Wet ARMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina in the macula and leak blood and fluid, leading to rapid vision loss, potentially even permanent blindness. This stage is marked by distortions of straight lines as well as an increasing dark spot at the center of your vision that grows larger over time.

If you suspect macular degeneration, it is vital to visit an eye doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment options. Regular eye exams can help detect macular degeneration early and there are medications and vitamins available that may slow its progress; eating more fruits and vegetables along with enough vitamin C and zeaxanthin may also lower your risk. Wearing sunglasses to shield the eyes from ultraviolet radiation also reduces risks.

Difficulty recognizing faces or objects

The macula, located at the center of your retina, allows for clear vision straight ahead. It also controls how well you read, drive a car, thread needles and perceive faces and colors clearly. Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of central vision loss among adults aged 50 or over.

Macular degeneration often begins without noticeable symptoms that can be detected without having an eye exam performed, due to gradual damage that happens over time. When in its initial stages, straight lines appear crooked as the macula loses its ability to see fine details.

As your condition worsens, a dark spot or blind area may develop in your central vision due to damaged light-sensing cells in the macula no longer transmitting clear images to your brain – this distortion may even make it impossible for you to recognize objects or read books.

As macula degeneration progresses, peripheral (side) vision may improve; however, macular degeneration may make it harder to distinguish between various shades of colors and fine details – for instance brighter hues may begin looking dull while darker ones seem less vibrant and it becomes harder to differentiate between clothes or nearby objects.

If any of the signs above apply to you, it’s essential that you consult an eye care provider as soon as possible. They will be able to assess your vision and ascertain whether dry or wet macular degeneration exists. They may use drops to dilate (enlarge) your pupils so they can gain better access to viewing the back of your eye.

Blind spots

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss among those over 60, as its symptoms can gradually worsen until vision loss becomes noticeable. If you notice changes in central vision or color perception and are concerned, contact Dr. Richlin OD & Associates immediately for a complete eye examination using cutting edge technology.

Macular degeneration comes in two varieties, dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration typically develops gradually over time as light-sensitive cells in the macula degrade, manifesting itself by yellow deposits called “drusen,” with their size and number providing insight into its progression.

Wet macular degeneration is less commonly experienced and occurs when blood vessels leak fluid or bleed into the macula from leakage in retinal blood vessels, leading to rapid decline of vision that usually appears as bent or blurred lines or even blind spots in your field of vision.

Although wet macular degeneration cannot be treated, avoiding it through diet is possible. Eating more fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin may help. You could also take supplements like vitamins C, E, zinc and copper that research suggests can slow its progress. Contact Dr. Richlin’s Optometrist in Toronto if interested.

Light sensitivity

The human eye works much like a camera, collecting light and turning it into images for interpretation by our brains. Healthy eyes use their macula to send these images directly to a part of the brain responsible for focussing, reading, driving and recognising faces; when damaged due to macular degeneration this area becomes harder for us to use and our ability to see fine details or colors may become impaired; but peripheral (side) vision remains unaffected.

Age-related macular degeneration occurs when the macula of your retina deteriorates with age, leading to blurring at the center of your visual field and making reading, driving or recognising faces more challenging. However, peripheral (side) vision remains intact so other senses can still assist with performing these functions.

Age-related macular degeneration comes in two varieties, both known as dry and wet AMD. Atrophic macular degeneration, also referred to as dry AMD, is more prevalent and occurs gradually over time; wet AMD occurs less frequently but is marked by abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid onto the macula causing further damage and decreased central vision loss compared with dry macular degeneration; indeed it’s one of the leading causes of legal blindness among adults over 50.

While there is no definitive treatment for early dry macular degeneration, studies indicate that certain vitamins and nutritional supplements may slow its progression. These include lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc and copper which you can find either through foods high in them or taking multivitamin and mineral supplements – consult your eye doctor on which ones would best fit you!