Macular degeneration is an eye condition that causes central vision to blur, as it affects the macula part of the retina (which lines the back of your eye) lining it with light-sensitive tissue. Central vision is essential for seeing faces and reading text, so macular degeneration must not affect this vital area of sight.

AMD also helps you remain aware of your surroundings when driving or walking, helping you keep an eye on what’s ahead. While AMD can lead to gradual loss of vision, it does not result in complete blindness.

Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Macular degeneration occurs when the macula loses its ability to function and ultimately leads to vision loss in people over 50, becoming the leading cause of vision impairment and irreversible blindness.

Researchers still aren’t certain of what causes dry age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). But experts speculate that it begins when damage to the retina (oxidative stress) results in light-sensing cells breaking down over time in the macula, leading to fluid and waste deposits known as “drusen.” Drusen do not lead directly to vision loss but indicate an increased risk for advanced AMD. If your eyes contain many or large deposits known as “drusen,” visit your physician immediately to assess their significance for vision loss prevention strategies and ways forward.

About 10% of cases progress to “wet” macular degeneration, also known as exudative or choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Wet ARMD forms when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath areas affected by drusen or atrophy and leak serum and bleed, leading to scarring which eventually causes severe vision loss. While less common than dry ARMD, wet ARMD tends to lead to rapid and severe vision loss more rapidly than its counterpart.

No treatment exists for either dry or wet ARMD; however, it is vitally important that you monitor your eyes closely for changes. You can do this by visiting your eye doctor regularly and by eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as maintaining a healthy weight by staying within healthy guidelines and refraining from smoking as well as managing other conditions such as cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

If you have been diagnosed with early dry ARMD, your doctor may suggest vitamin supplements or eating foods rich in antioxidant vitamins to slow its progress. Regular visits with an ophthalmologist even if you feel symptom-free are essential as the condition can worsen quickly without warning.

Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration with drusen (DAMD)

Dry macular degeneration occurs when waste deposits known as drusen form under the retina and break down light-sensitive cells in the macula, blurring or distorting central vision and leading to central visual distortion or loss. It affects most AMD sufferers; approximately 90 percent have this form of the condition which typically remains mild-moderate and does not result in complete blindness; although those affected may have difficulty reading or recognising faces they encounter daily, but can still use peripheral vision for other activities.

At first, there is no discomfort or other symptoms related to DAMD; as it progresses, however, people living with it may notice straight lines becoming bent or developing an obscure central spot of darkness (blind spot). An ophthalmologist can diagnose DAMD by performing a dilated eye exam and inspecting your retina including macula for signs of thinned retina and pigment changes that could point towards this condition.

Transition from dry macular degeneration (DAMD) to wet macular degeneration can occur quickly, making it essential to carefully monitor your vision. Wet ARMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels form under the retina and begin leaking fluid or hemorrhaging; these new vessels may lead to loss of central vision as well as further vision impairment.

Wet ARMD is more severe than its dry counterpart, as it can lead to permanent vision loss due to more damage done to both eyes’ central vision. Furthermore, treatment using medications or laser therapy may be more challenging.

Macular degeneration occurs more commonly in one eye than the other; however, if this condition exists in both eyes, its progression will most likely continue at a steady pace. Regular visits to your ophthalmologist and following their recommendations for regular dilated eye exams and low vision devices and visual rehabilitation programs may help slow this progression of this disease and maintain as much independence possible in everyday life.

Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AAMD)

The macula in our eyes is a small area in the center of the retina that enables us to see fine details clearly when looking straight ahead. Macular degeneration occurs when this area begins to breakdown and cause blurry vision and dark areas in our central field of vision, leading to age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Although its cause remains unknown, factors including getting older, smoking, family history of retinal diseases as well as high blood pressure, cholesterol levels genetics and obesity may all play a part in its breakdown.

If left untreated, macular degeneration may progress into its wet or exudative form. This occurs when abnormal blood vessels begin growing under the retina and leaking fluid or bleeding into the macula, leading to faster central vision loss than seen with dry form macular degeneration.

Early signs of wet macular degeneration include straight lines appearing wavy or an expanding dark spot at the center of your vision. This occurs as fluid and blood leaking from abnormal new blood vessels disrupts normal function of the macula and compromises our central vision, but does not lead to total blindness as peripheral vision remains functional.

Doctors can detect macular degeneration through an eye examination. One such test, known as an Amsler grid, provides one method for testing macular health – this graph-like grid contains black lines arranged in an Amsler grid format that help identify any changes to central vision. An ophthalmologist may also perform more in-depth diagnostic procedures like optical coherence tomography or fluorescein angiography which provide more detailed images of your eyes.

Macular degeneration cannot cure blindness; however, its symptoms can be managed with medication to slow its progress and alleviate symptoms like blurriness or dark areas in central vision. Treatments are available both at home and within offices that often prove successful.

Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration with choroidal neovascularization (CNV)

Age-related macular degeneration occurs when light-sensitive cells in the retina break down and stop functioning normally, causing central vision to blurry or darken or lose detail, often without pain or noticeable symptoms. Symptoms may include difficulty reading or driving as well as straight lines appearing crookedly. It does not affect side or peripheral (near- and far) vision but instead has been the leading cause of severe vision loss in Caucasians over 60; regular eye exams are therefore important.

Around 10 percent of those suffering macular degeneration have the wet form, which tends to advance faster and proves harder to treat than its dry counterpart. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak fluid or blood, known as choroidal neovascularization or CNV; this fluid or blood can cause the macula to thin out over time and stop functioning effectively, eventually leading to central vision fading away altogether.

Wet macular degeneration remains largely unexplained; however, its precise causes remain elusive. Aging and the buildup of deposits called “drusen” beneath the retina have been implicated as contributing factors, as have family history, smoking, obesity, and certain medications such as steroids.

New treatments for wet macular degeneration exist to slow its progress and enhance vision in some patients. These new anti-angiogenic drugs, like Macugen, Avastin and Lucentis injections are designed to stop abnormal blood vessel growth within the eye by blocking activity that triggers abnormal vessel formation. These injections aim at stopping abnormal vessel growth through injection into the eye.

Other treatments options for macular degeneration may include laser surgery and medication that must be taken orally. Research suggests that taking antioxidant vitamins and minerals, especially beta-carotene and Vitamins C and E may help slow or stop its progress; speak to your doctor for the optimal diet and supplement plan to achieve this result.