Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)Symptoms of Dry AMDCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Symptoms of Dry AMD
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
Imagine looking at an analog clock. A person with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can see the numbers around the clock face but cannot see the hands on the clock due to the loss of central vision.
Wet macular degenerationis less common than dry macular degeneration. Wet macular degeneration is considered more serious than dry macular degeneration. In wet macular degeneration, new, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. These vessels often leak blood or blood products, which scars the macula.Wet macular degeneration causes vision loss more quickly than dry macular degeneration.
Initial symptoms of dry AMD might be blurring of items in the central vision field or noticing that it is harder to read or do fine tasks like needlepoint in low-light settings. As dry AMD progresses, straight lines appear blurry and people affected with it will start to notice blank spots in the central vision field.
Verywell / Daniel Fishel
How Macular Degeneration Changes What You See
For dry AMD, minimizing risk factors that strongly correlate with development of the disease is important.Lifestyle modifications to consider include:
An eye specialist, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist, can perform a comprehensive eye exam, including dilating your pupils. After dilating your pupils, the eye specialist can determine if there are drusen deposits and thinning of the macula. An eye specialist can identify the beginning of dry AMD in the early stage and develop a treatment plan toslow its progression to the next stage.
Dry AMD has no treatments available.One large study, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, or AREDS, suggested various antioxidants and mineral supplements may help slow the progression of the condition.
Additionally, a diet with dark leafy greens, yellow fruits and vegetables, and fish has also been shown to be beneficial in dry macular degeneration.
There are eye specialists who can provide education and assistance to people affected with dry AMD. They can help patients leverage their intact peripheral vision in order to perform activities associated with daily living.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Is dry or wet macular degeneration worse?
Although dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration both cause central vision loss, wet macular degeneration is considered more serious. Wet macular degeneration affects vision loss faster than dry macular degeneration.
What can be done for dry macular degeneration?
There is no known treatment for dry macular degeneration.Conditions associated with macular degeneration, such as having a family history, are not necessarily risk factors that can be changed. However, other factors known to increase the potential of developing dry macular degeneration, such as smoking cigarettes, consuming a diet high in saturated fats (e.g., meat, cheese, and butter), being overweight, and having high blood pressure, can be addressed and help decrease your chances of developing dry macular degeneration.
What do you do for your vision with dry macular degeneration?
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) suggests that specific dietary modifications and taking specific vitamins and minerals can slow dry macular degeneration.Foods to include in a prevention-focused diet include leafy green vegetables, yellow fruits and vegetables, and fish. Specific vitamins and minerals identified in the AREDS study are vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, and copper.
Vitamins and Supplements for Macular Degeneration
How long does it take to go blind with dry macular degeneration?
Blindness is not a common result of dry macular degeneration or wet macular degeneration.Macular degeneration causes loss of vision in the central part of the visual field, while peripheral vision typically is unaffected.
Macular Degeneration: Timeline of Vision Loss Progression
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.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is macular degeneration?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common eye disorders and diseases.Cleveland Clinic.Advances in the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration.Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group.The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS): design implications. AREDS report no. 1.Control Clin Trials. 1999;20(6):573-600. doi:10.1016/s0197-2456(99)00031-8Johns Hopkins Medicine.Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
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.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is macular degeneration?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common eye disorders and diseases.Cleveland Clinic.Advances in the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration.Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group.The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS): design implications. AREDS report no. 1.Control Clin Trials. 1999;20(6):573-600. doi:10.1016/s0197-2456(99)00031-8Johns Hopkins Medicine.Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
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.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is macular degeneration?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common eye disorders and diseases.Cleveland Clinic.Advances in the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration.Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group.The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS): design implications. AREDS report no. 1.Control Clin Trials. 1999;20(6):573-600. doi:10.1016/s0197-2456(99)00031-8Johns Hopkins Medicine.Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is macular degeneration?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common eye disorders and diseases.
Cleveland Clinic.Advances in the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration.
Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group.The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS): design implications. AREDS report no. 1.Control Clin Trials. 1999;20(6):573-600. doi:10.1016/s0197-2456(99)00031-8
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
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