Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsQuiet SymptomsEarly SymptomsAdvanced SymptomsTypes of AMDWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Macular Degeneration GuideCauses and Risk Factors of Macular Degeneration

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Table of Contents

Quiet Symptoms

Early Symptoms

Advanced Symptoms

Types of AMD

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Frequently Asked Questions

Next in Macular Degeneration Guide

Not everyone experiences the same symptoms ofmacular degeneration. Some people experience less severe symptoms and slower vision loss compared to others. Although it is possible to retain close to normal vision for years despite having macular degeneration, the eye disease is considered progressive and usually gets worse with time.

Most symptoms do not cause any pain. Because the risk for eye problems, including AMD, increases after the age of 40, it’s important to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam every year.

Verywell / Dennis Madamba

Early Symptoms of Macular Degeneration - Illustration by Dennis Madamba

Vision loss in early cases of macular degeneration is so gradual that most people do not even notice it. As the disease progresses, there may be a profound loss or graying of central vision, while peripheral vision remains unchanged.

Your healthcare provider may detect the presence of macular degeneration before you develop noticeable symptoms of the disease.

In its early stages, yourhealthcare provider may detect drusenor waste deposits on the surface of your retina. Sometimes a color change may occur within the macula.

At first, images that usually appear clear and sharp often become blurred. As the disease progresses, images can become distorted, enlarged, cloudy, dark or spotted.You may experience:

As symptoms progress, vision may become worse, possibly affecting your ability to do things such as read, drive, and recognize faces. Symptoms may include a blurred spot in the center of your vision. The blurred spot may continue to get bigger and darker. Detailed tasks such as reading and writing will become more difficult. In cases of advanced macular degeneration, vision can gradually reduce over time and permanent blindness may occur.

AMD is divided into two types, “dry” and “wet,” with the dry form making up 90% of cases.

Drusen are yellow deposits under the retina.

If you have a family history of macular degeneration, especially with significant vision loss, it is highly recommended to schedule annual medical eye examinations.

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Since macular degeneration can progress quickly in some cases, call your eye healthcare provider immediately if you notice any of the following changes:

Certain forms of macular degeneration can progress very quickly but can respond totreatmentif caught in time.See your eye healthcare provider if you notice any of the following:

These changes may be the first indication of macular degeneration, especially if you’re over the age of 50.It is important when checking your vision at home to check each eye independently. Cover one eye and check the other eye and then alternate. If you check often, it will be easier to notice subtle changes.

Macular degeneration almost always affects both eyes, but it can be much worse in one eye.

How to Talk About Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Frequently Asked QuestionsThe common signs and symptoms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) include:Visual distortion (metamorphopsia)An overall decrease in central visionBlurred visionLoss of visual contrast or color sensitivitySlow recovery of vision after exposure to bright lightWet macular degenerationis the result of the progression of dry macular degeneration (the most common form of the disease). It is caused when blood vessels in theretinaleak blood and fluid into themacula. In addition to worsening symptoms, wet AMD may also involve:Blind spotsReduced central vision in both eyesDifficulty adapting to low light levelsDifficulty recognizing facesLearn MoreVisual Hallucinations With Vision Loss in AMDAlthough macular degeneration can cause significant vision loss, making it difficult to read, drive, or perform daily functions, it rarely causes blindness.Because the macula makes up less than 10% of the retina,peripheral visionis largely preserved.Macular degeneration tends to progress slowly. People with intermediate-stage AMD in one eye have a 6% chance of progression to the late-stage disease and vision loss within five years. The speed of progression may be faster if both eyes are affected and thearea of involvementis large. In such cases, the risk of vision loss within five years is 26%.Some studies suggest that early-stage AMD can be reversed to some extent with high-dosestatin drugs.However, as the disease advances, light receptive cells called rod and cone photoreceptors undergo wasting (atrophy) and die.There is currently no treatment to reverse this, although scientists are investigating whetherretinal stem cell transplantsmay one day help.

The common signs and symptoms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) include:Visual distortion (metamorphopsia)An overall decrease in central visionBlurred visionLoss of visual contrast or color sensitivitySlow recovery of vision after exposure to bright light

The common signs and symptoms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) include:

Wet macular degenerationis the result of the progression of dry macular degeneration (the most common form of the disease). It is caused when blood vessels in theretinaleak blood and fluid into themacula. In addition to worsening symptoms, wet AMD may also involve:Blind spotsReduced central vision in both eyesDifficulty adapting to low light levelsDifficulty recognizing facesLearn MoreVisual Hallucinations With Vision Loss in AMD

Wet macular degenerationis the result of the progression of dry macular degeneration (the most common form of the disease). It is caused when blood vessels in theretinaleak blood and fluid into themacula. In addition to worsening symptoms, wet AMD may also involve:Blind spotsReduced central vision in both eyesDifficulty adapting to low light levelsDifficulty recognizing faces

Wet macular degenerationis the result of the progression of dry macular degeneration (the most common form of the disease). It is caused when blood vessels in theretinaleak blood and fluid into themacula. In addition to worsening symptoms, wet AMD may also involve:

Learn MoreVisual Hallucinations With Vision Loss in AMD

Although macular degeneration can cause significant vision loss, making it difficult to read, drive, or perform daily functions, it rarely causes blindness.Because the macula makes up less than 10% of the retina,peripheral visionis largely preserved.

Macular degeneration tends to progress slowly. People with intermediate-stage AMD in one eye have a 6% chance of progression to the late-stage disease and vision loss within five years. The speed of progression may be faster if both eyes are affected and thearea of involvementis large. In such cases, the risk of vision loss within five years is 26%.

Some studies suggest that early-stage AMD can be reversed to some extent with high-dosestatin drugs.However, as the disease advances, light receptive cells called rod and cone photoreceptors undergo wasting (atrophy) and die.There is currently no treatment to reverse this, although scientists are investigating whetherretinal stem cell transplantsmay one day help.

Causes and Risk Factors of Macular Degeneration

14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Al-Zamil WM, Yassin SA.Recent developments in age-related macular degeneration: a review.Clin Interv Aging. 2017;12:1313-1330. doi:10.2147/CIA.S143508Ehrlich R, Harris A, Kheradiya NS, Winston DM, Ciulla TA, Wirostko B.Age-related macular degeneration and the aging eye.Clin Interv Aging. 2008;3(3):473-482. doi:10.2147/cia.s2777Mathenge W.Age-related macular degeneration.Community Eye Health; 27(87):49-50.Fong DS.Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Update for Primary Care.Am Fam Physician;61(10):3035-3042.Singer M.Advances in the management of macular degeneration.F1000Prime Rep. 2014;6:29. doi:10.12703/P6-29American Macular Degeneration Foundation.Dry vs Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration.Morris B, Imrie F, Armbrecht AM, Dhillon B.Age-related macular degeneration and recent developments: new hope for old eyes?Postgrad Med J. 2007;83(979):301-307. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2006.052944García-Layana A, Cabrera-López F, García-Arumí J, Arias-Barquet L, Ruiz-Moreno JM.Early and intermediate age-related macular degeneration: update and clinical review.Clin Interv Aging. 2017;12:1579-87. doi:10.2147/CIA.S142685Cheung LK, Eaton A.Age-related macular degeneration.Pharmacotherapy. 2013;33(8):838-55. doi:10.1002/phar.1264Alexandru MR, Alexandra NM.Wet age related macular degeneration management and follow-up.Rom J Ophthalmol; 60(1):9-13.Kolb H.Simple anatomy of the retina. In:Webvision: The Organization of the Retina and Visual System [Internet].Chew EY, Clemons TE, Agrón E, et al.Ten-year follow-up of age-related macular degeneration in the age-related eye disease study: AREDS report no. 36.JAMA Ophthalmol. 2014;132(3):272-7. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2013.6636Vavvas DG, Daniels AB, Kapsala ZG, et al.Regression of some high-risk features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in patients receiving intensive statin treatment.EBioMedicine. 2016;5:198-203. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.01.033Ikelle L, Al-Ubaidi MR, Naash MI.Pluripotent stem cells for the treatment of retinal degeneration: current strategies and future directions.Front Cell Dev Biol. 2020;8:743. doi:10.3389/fcell.2020.00743

14 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Al-Zamil WM, Yassin SA.Recent developments in age-related macular degeneration: a review.Clin Interv Aging. 2017;12:1313-1330. doi:10.2147/CIA.S143508Ehrlich R, Harris A, Kheradiya NS, Winston DM, Ciulla TA, Wirostko B.Age-related macular degeneration and the aging eye.Clin Interv Aging. 2008;3(3):473-482. doi:10.2147/cia.s2777Mathenge W.Age-related macular degeneration.Community Eye Health; 27(87):49-50.Fong DS.Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Update for Primary Care.Am Fam Physician;61(10):3035-3042.Singer M.Advances in the management of macular degeneration.F1000Prime Rep. 2014;6:29. doi:10.12703/P6-29American Macular Degeneration Foundation.Dry vs Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration.Morris B, Imrie F, Armbrecht AM, Dhillon B.Age-related macular degeneration and recent developments: new hope for old eyes?Postgrad Med J. 2007;83(979):301-307. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2006.052944García-Layana A, Cabrera-López F, García-Arumí J, Arias-Barquet L, Ruiz-Moreno JM.Early and intermediate age-related macular degeneration: update and clinical review.Clin Interv Aging. 2017;12:1579-87. doi:10.2147/CIA.S142685Cheung LK, Eaton A.Age-related macular degeneration.Pharmacotherapy. 2013;33(8):838-55. doi:10.1002/phar.1264Alexandru MR, Alexandra NM.Wet age related macular degeneration management and follow-up.Rom J Ophthalmol; 60(1):9-13.Kolb H.Simple anatomy of the retina. In:Webvision: The Organization of the Retina and Visual System [Internet].Chew EY, Clemons TE, Agrón E, et al.Ten-year follow-up of age-related macular degeneration in the age-related eye disease study: AREDS report no. 36.JAMA Ophthalmol. 2014;132(3):272-7. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2013.6636Vavvas DG, Daniels AB, Kapsala ZG, et al.Regression of some high-risk features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in patients receiving intensive statin treatment.EBioMedicine. 2016;5:198-203. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.01.033Ikelle L, Al-Ubaidi MR, Naash MI.Pluripotent stem cells for the treatment of retinal degeneration: current strategies and future directions.Front Cell Dev Biol. 2020;8:743. doi:10.3389/fcell.2020.00743

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Al-Zamil WM, Yassin SA.Recent developments in age-related macular degeneration: a review.Clin Interv Aging. 2017;12:1313-1330. doi:10.2147/CIA.S143508Ehrlich R, Harris A, Kheradiya NS, Winston DM, Ciulla TA, Wirostko B.Age-related macular degeneration and the aging eye.Clin Interv Aging. 2008;3(3):473-482. doi:10.2147/cia.s2777Mathenge W.Age-related macular degeneration.Community Eye Health; 27(87):49-50.Fong DS.Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Update for Primary Care.Am Fam Physician;61(10):3035-3042.Singer M.Advances in the management of macular degeneration.F1000Prime Rep. 2014;6:29. doi:10.12703/P6-29American Macular Degeneration Foundation.Dry vs Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration.Morris B, Imrie F, Armbrecht AM, Dhillon B.Age-related macular degeneration and recent developments: new hope for old eyes?Postgrad Med J. 2007;83(979):301-307. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2006.052944García-Layana A, Cabrera-López F, García-Arumí J, Arias-Barquet L, Ruiz-Moreno JM.Early and intermediate age-related macular degeneration: update and clinical review.Clin Interv Aging. 2017;12:1579-87. doi:10.2147/CIA.S142685Cheung LK, Eaton A.Age-related macular degeneration.Pharmacotherapy. 2013;33(8):838-55. doi:10.1002/phar.1264Alexandru MR, Alexandra NM.Wet age related macular degeneration management and follow-up.Rom J Ophthalmol; 60(1):9-13.Kolb H.Simple anatomy of the retina. In:Webvision: The Organization of the Retina and Visual System [Internet].Chew EY, Clemons TE, Agrón E, et al.Ten-year follow-up of age-related macular degeneration in the age-related eye disease study: AREDS report no. 36.JAMA Ophthalmol. 2014;132(3):272-7. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2013.6636Vavvas DG, Daniels AB, Kapsala ZG, et al.Regression of some high-risk features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in patients receiving intensive statin treatment.EBioMedicine. 2016;5:198-203. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.01.033Ikelle L, Al-Ubaidi MR, Naash MI.Pluripotent stem cells for the treatment of retinal degeneration: current strategies and future directions.Front Cell Dev Biol. 2020;8:743. doi:10.3389/fcell.2020.00743

Al-Zamil WM, Yassin SA.Recent developments in age-related macular degeneration: a review.Clin Interv Aging. 2017;12:1313-1330. doi:10.2147/CIA.S143508

Ehrlich R, Harris A, Kheradiya NS, Winston DM, Ciulla TA, Wirostko B.Age-related macular degeneration and the aging eye.Clin Interv Aging. 2008;3(3):473-482. doi:10.2147/cia.s2777

Mathenge W.Age-related macular degeneration.Community Eye Health; 27(87):49-50.

Fong DS.Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Update for Primary Care.Am Fam Physician;61(10):3035-3042.

Singer M.Advances in the management of macular degeneration.F1000Prime Rep. 2014;6:29. doi:10.12703/P6-29

American Macular Degeneration Foundation.Dry vs Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Morris B, Imrie F, Armbrecht AM, Dhillon B.Age-related macular degeneration and recent developments: new hope for old eyes?Postgrad Med J. 2007;83(979):301-307. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2006.052944

García-Layana A, Cabrera-López F, García-Arumí J, Arias-Barquet L, Ruiz-Moreno JM.Early and intermediate age-related macular degeneration: update and clinical review.Clin Interv Aging. 2017;12:1579-87. doi:10.2147/CIA.S142685

Cheung LK, Eaton A.Age-related macular degeneration.Pharmacotherapy. 2013;33(8):838-55. doi:10.1002/phar.1264

Alexandru MR, Alexandra NM.Wet age related macular degeneration management and follow-up.Rom J Ophthalmol; 60(1):9-13.

Kolb H.Simple anatomy of the retina. In:Webvision: The Organization of the Retina and Visual System [Internet].

Chew EY, Clemons TE, Agrón E, et al.Ten-year follow-up of age-related macular degeneration in the age-related eye disease study: AREDS report no. 36.JAMA Ophthalmol. 2014;132(3):272-7. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2013.6636

Vavvas DG, Daniels AB, Kapsala ZG, et al.Regression of some high-risk features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in patients receiving intensive statin treatment.EBioMedicine. 2016;5:198-203. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.01.033

Ikelle L, Al-Ubaidi MR, Naash MI.Pluripotent stem cells for the treatment of retinal degeneration: current strategies and future directions.Front Cell Dev Biol. 2020;8:743. doi:10.3389/fcell.2020.00743

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