Macular degeneration is a condition that affects central vision and can result in blurry or impaired visibility, making straight lines appear bent or colors seem muted.

Mild cases involve gradual vision loss; severe cases involve sudden and painless loss. Treatments may slow or stop its progress and even improve vision in some instances.

Dry AMD

Dry AMD is the most prevalent form of macular degeneration and results from the gradual breakdown of light-sensing cells within the macula, leading to loss of central vision. Although its exact cause remains unknown, scientists have discovered that smoking increases one’s chances of macular degeneration more than nonsmoking does; those over 65 and white people also are at higher risk. Another possible contributor may be genetic defect or buildups of waste material and minerals known as “drusen”, known to deposit below retina.

Dry AMD initially presents itself with blurry central vision that becomes worse over time. Unfortunately, vision lost due to dry AMD cannot be restored but there are treatments available which may help slow its progress and potentially even stop future worsening of symptoms.

Wet macular degeneration is a more serious form of macular degeneration caused by abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage, leading to severe and permanent vision loss. If you notice changes in your vision it is crucial that you seek medical advice immediately – wet macular degeneration should always be diagnosed by an eye care professional immediately!

Treatment for wet AMD includes injections of medications known as anti-VEGF drugs that reduce new blood vessel formation and stop them from leaking blood and fluid into the retina. These injections are administered via slender needle. Alternatively, laser surgery can also be an option as this involves targeting abnormal blood vessels using light beams in order to destroy them.

Dry Macular Degeneration Symptoms

Macular degeneration affects the central portion of your vision and makes reading or driving difficult, typically without impacting side or peripheral vision. It typically presents itself in symptoms such as blurriness or dark areas in your central vision resulting in difficulties seeing faces, colors or fine details as well as straight lines appearing bent or crookedly.

Macular degeneration typically begins as dry macular degeneration, where deposits known as drusen gradually build up under the retina and don’t cause immediate vision loss but instead over time can progress into more serious forms known as geographic atrophy – in fact 90% of cases of macular degeneration involve this form.

People suffering from dry macular degeneration may gradually experience the gradual loss of central vision, yet still be able to read and drive safely. To monitor any changes to your vision daily, an Amsler grid chart should be reviewed daily; any discrepancies should be reported immediately to an eye care practitioner.

Even though macular degeneration cannot be reversed, steps can be taken to slow its progress by taking vitamin supplements, eating healthily and not smoking. Furthermore, follow any instructions from your physician regarding managing other medical conditions like cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

About 10% of those suffering macular degeneration progress to its wet form when abnormal blood vessels begin to proliferate and leak fluid under the retina, leading to distortion or blurring, as well as rapid central vision loss. There are new treatments for wet macular degeneration available exclusively through an ophthalmologist that involve injecting medication directly into one eye; these drugs work by attacking proteins which lead to abnormal vessel growth in retina, slowing visual loss rates and possibly improving vision for some.

Dry Macular Degeneration Diagnosis

Dry macular degeneration affects central or straight-ahead vision needed for reading, driving and other activities, gradually and usually without pain causing its loss. Symptoms may include blurry or wavy lines; dark spots in the center of your vision; difficulty seeing fine details of faces and colors and difficulty reading text.

If you have wet ARMD, your eye doctor will detect changes in your central vision as well. As it progresses rapidly and can lead to severe vision loss if untreated early, he or she may perform tests such as an Amsler grid measuring your ability to see straight lines as part of an overall comprehensive exam including slit lamp examination, various vision testing procedures and special assessments designed to measure retinal blood vessel health.

Eye care professionals rely on fluorescein angiography, an imaging test which involves injecting an orange-red dye safely into a vein in your arm and taking photographs of any areas affected by abnormal blood vessels that lead to wet ARMD. With this information in hand, your eye care provider can develop an individualized treatment plan designed to preserve vision loss or even restore lost sight in some instances.

At present, the most effective treatment for wet aging-related macular degeneration involves injecting medications directly into your eye to decrease new blood vessel formation and leakage. Some individuals also benefit from laser surgery where a controlled light beam destroys abnormal blood vessels to stop fluid leakage. Research is being done into new treatments that will save vision in more people affected by wet ARMD such as drugs that bypass resistance to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs.

Dry Macular Degeneration Treatments

At present, no cure exists for dry macular degeneration; however, treatments may help slow its progress and preserve central vision. Such treatments include taking antioxidant vitamins like Vitamin C and E as well as beta carotene and zinc supplements – studies have even demonstrated this may reduce risk for advanced AMD in certain people at high risk.

Age-related macular degeneration usually presents itself in two forms, the dry form and wet form (Figures 1A and 1B). With both forms, retinal tissue thins out and yellow deposits form underneath known as drusen (Figure 1B), often leading to gradual central vision loss while color and peripheral vision remain normal; eventually both conditions progress further to become characterized by geographic atrophy (GA).

Ten percent of patients suffering macular degeneration experience wet AMD, which is characterized by abnormal blood vessel growth under the retina that leak fluid and pigment, leading to much faster central vision loss than with dry AMD.

Dr. Beth Bruening can provide regular dilated eye exams that can protect your vision against macular degeneration by early detection, even without symptoms. Early diagnosis will enable her to recommend treatment options that could slow or even stop vision loss altogether. It is also vital that diet includes fruits and vegetables (particularly dark greens) along with fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Dry Macular Degeneration Treatment Options

Diet, regular eye exams and effective treatments are effective ways of slowing the progression of age related macular degeneration. Though no cure exists, nutrient supplements, injections or laser treatments may help slow vision loss by providing treatment plans designed specifically to reduce it.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is a condition that affects the macula of your retina – the part responsible for providing sharp vision in fine details when you read, drive or recognize faces; distinguish colors easily; and focus on objects at distance.

ARMD causes blurry vision when light-sensing cells in your retina – known as macula cells – start to break down and stop functioning properly, yet does not result in total blindness as your peripheral (side) vision remains undisturbed. It is the leading cause of legal blindness among Americans aged 50+.

If your ARMD has progressed into wet macular degeneration, retinal blood vessels that form under the retina begin leaking blood and fluids which causes severe vision loss. Although wet ARMD is less common than dry ARMD, its progression can occur more rapidly; early detection through dilated eye exams may significantly lower risk.

Laser surgery can sometimes be effective for wet ARMD, employing painless laser light to destroy abnormal leaking blood vessels beneath the retina and slow or even prevent further vision loss in wet AMD; it will not however restore any already lost vision. An injectable drug called faricimab-svoa (Vabysmo) is now available that specifically targets and blocks disease pathways leading to wet AMD, providing relief.