Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsRare SymptomsComplicationsWhen to See a Doctor
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Rare Symptoms
Complications
When to See a Doctor
Symptoms ofwet age-related macular degeneration (AMD)commonly include trouble reading with distortion in vision, which can be present in one eye. Wet AMD is often seen as aprogression from dry AMD.
Anatomy
To fully understand the symptoms of wet AMD, it’s important to be aware of a few of the basicanatomy and physiologyterms pertaining to the eye. These include the following.
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Progression to Wet AMD
There are two forms of AMD: the dry and the wet form. Dry AMD causes thinning of the macula and results in symptoms of blurred vision and reduced central vision.
The wet form is a result of abnormal growth of blood vessels. These abnormal blood vessels, which form under the macula, can leak fluid and blood into the eye. Wet AMD, which can progress very quickly, may cause extreme vision problems (such as blind spots or loss of central vision.
In approximately 10% to 15% of those with AMD, the condition will progress to wet AMD. Most of the time, a person first has dry AMD, which develops, in time, toward the wet form of the condition.
In wet AMD, new blood vessels grow abnormally in the vascular, choroid layer of the eye. This is referred to as choroidal neovascularization. These new, abnormal vessels are naturally weak and fragile, and therefore leak fluid and blood.
The leakage accumulates in the layers of the retina (including the macula) and can end up causing scarring, which damages the retinal cells. The retinal cells then stop functioning normally, and vision is reduced.
When wet AMD first begins, there may not be any symptoms at all. In fact, the condition may not be detected until it worsens, or when it impacts both eyes. This is because, early on, the unaffected eye can compensate for the affected eye.
Symptoms of wet AMD may begin with a slight blurring of the central vision (both close and far away). As the condition progresses, the area of blurriness becomes larger. Next, blind spots may develop, and you may have trouble seeing fine details clearly.
Other symptoms of wet AMD may include:
Some people do not notice the symptoms at all in the initial stages of the condition unless they close their good eye. This is one reason that having regular eye exams is so important, particularly if you have the dry form of AMD, because it can progress to the wet form of the condition very quickly.
Wet AMD does not generally cause visual loss in the peripheral (side) vision. Therefore, it doesn’t commonly cause total blindness.
There are several symptoms of wet AMD that are considered rare or uncommon. These include the following.
Several potential complications can occur as a result of wet AMD. These include Charles Bonnet syndrome, retinal detachment, risk for falls, and mental health problems such as depression.
Charles Bonnet Syndrome
This is a rare disorder that results in visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not there). Charles Bonnet syndrome is more likely to occur during the advanced stages of AMD/retinal disease.
Retinal Detachment
In this condition, the retinal tissue separates from the blood vessels that provide oxygen and nourishment to the nerve cells of the retina. Retinal detachment can cause vision loss.
Symptoms include blurry vision, floaters (spots in your vision), flashes of light, and reduced peripheral (side) vision. If you have any symptoms of retinal detachment, you should see your healthcare provider right away.
What Is a Detached Retina?
Depression
When a person loses the ability to see, it dramatically impacts many areas of life, including independence, work, hobbies, social interaction, and more. In some instances, this can lead to depression, particularly for those who lack a significant support system, such as supportive friends or family. Common symptoms of depression include:
It’s important to seek professional help right away if you have symptoms of depression (particularly with thoughts of suicide).
An Overview of Depression
Falls and Injuries
The loss of clear vision can lead to a high risk of falling, particularly for seniors who already have a higher risk of falls due to balance problems, side effects of certain medications, or other high risks.
It’s important to implement a fall-prevention protocol, which involves actions such as removing electrical cords or rugs that could increase the risk of accidental tripping.
People with AMD should be particularly cautious of falling in an environment with low light. An environment that is not very well lit makes it more difficult to see objects that could be obstructing one’s path, particularly for those with AMD.
When a person has dry AMD, it’s important to perform self-checks frequently to screen for the possibility of progression to wet AMD, which can develop very rapidly.
Regular at-home checks should include covering one eye at a time to check for any changes in vision that are noticed (such as a difference in the perception of the shape or color of objects).
Another way to check your own vision is to look at reading material or some sort of graph (such as the Amsler grid) every day to see if you notice any changes. The changes may include blurriness or wavy or missing lines or letters.
The grid should be viewed with reading glasses on. If the lines on the grid appear wavy or if an area of the lines is missing, contact your opthalmologist.
You candownload and print a copy of the Amsler gridfrom the American Macular Degeneration Foundation. If you notice any changes in your vision, it’s imperative to consult with your ophthalmologist or another healthcare provider as soon as possible.
What Is the Amsler Grid?
A Word From Verywell
When it comes to wet AMD, the most important thing to keep in mind is that symptoms can progress very quickly. Early diagnosis and intervention are vital to being able to slow down the progression of the disease.
That’s the reason daily self-checks and regular eye doctor appointments are so important. Keep in mind that many people with AMD have learned to live with the disorder and continue to report a high quality of life.
Staying on top of self-screening for new symptoms, seeing an ophthalmologist when necessary, and seeking professional help for any new symptoms or complications (such as depression) are vital steps in the overall long-term treatment plan for those with age-related macular degeneration.
5 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.Cleveland Clinic.Age-Related Macular Degeneration.American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF).Dry vs wet age-related macular degeneration.Dunaief J.Less common symptoms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Bright Focus.org.Macular Degeneration.net.Symptoms and complications of macular degeneration.Dunaief J.Age-related macular degeneration: The top 10 questions to ask your eye doctor. Bright Focus.org.
5 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.Cleveland Clinic.Age-Related Macular Degeneration.American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF).Dry vs wet age-related macular degeneration.Dunaief J.Less common symptoms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Bright Focus.org.Macular Degeneration.net.Symptoms and complications of macular degeneration.Dunaief J.Age-related macular degeneration: The top 10 questions to ask your eye doctor. Bright Focus.org.
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.
Cleveland Clinic.Age-Related Macular Degeneration.American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF).Dry vs wet age-related macular degeneration.Dunaief J.Less common symptoms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Bright Focus.org.Macular Degeneration.net.Symptoms and complications of macular degeneration.Dunaief J.Age-related macular degeneration: The top 10 questions to ask your eye doctor. Bright Focus.org.
Cleveland Clinic.Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF).Dry vs wet age-related macular degeneration.
Dunaief J.Less common symptoms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Bright Focus.org.
Macular Degeneration.net.Symptoms and complications of macular degeneration.
Dunaief J.Age-related macular degeneration: The top 10 questions to ask your eye doctor. Bright Focus.org.
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