Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss in people over 50. While AMD won’t make you completely blind, it makes it harder to recognize faces, read, drive or do many daily tasks independently. Here’s what you need to know about this common but serious eye disease.
What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?
AMD is a degenerative disease of the macula—the part of your retina that affects the center of your vision. There are 2 main types of AMD:
- Dry AMD: This is the most common form of AMD. Early on, mild aging changes develop. In more advanced disease, the macula can become thin as retinal cells are damaged.
- Wet AMD: This less common but serious type of AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina, leak and damage the macula.
What are the symptoms of AMD?
You may not experience symptoms in the early stages of AMD. As the disease progresses, you may experience:
- Blurry or distorted central vision
- Difficulty reading or seeing fine details
- A dark or empty area in the center of your vision
- Straight lines appear distorted or wavy
Who is at risk for AMD?
As the name suggests, the biggest risk factor for developing age-related macular degeneration is in fact age—with your risk increasing significantly after age 50. Other risk factors include genetics, smoking, poor diet and high blood pressure. Women and people assigned female at birth are also more likely to develop AMD than men.
Can I prevent AMD?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent AMD, but regular eye exams and healthy lifestyle choices are key to your overall vision health.
- Quit smoking
- Eat a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, fruits, and omega-3 fatty acids
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV light
- Get physically active and maintain a healthy weight
How is AMD diagnosed?
Your eye doctor can diagnose AMD through a comprehensive eye exam, which may include a vision test, a dilated eye exam, retinal scans and sometimes a test in which a dye is injected into your arm—allowing your doctor to check for leaking blood vessels that indicate wet AMD.
How is AMD treated?
While there is no cure for AMD, there are treatments that can manage and slow the progress of the disease:
- Dry AMD: AREDS2 vitamins have been shown to slow progression to advanced disease in a certain subset of people. In 2023, two new injectable medications (complement inhibitors) were approved to slow the progression of a specific type of advanced dry AMD, geographic atrophy.
- Wet AMD: Anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) injections can help reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage, improving or stabilizing vision in many people. Laser therapy and photodynamic therapy may also be options for some cases of wet AMD.
In addition to the treatments mentioned above, screen readers, reading glasses and high-contrast lighting can help you manage your condition, while occupational therapy can help you develop techniques to make your daily life easier.
The bottom line on AMD?
Get an annual eye exam and see your eye doctor right away if you experience any changes in your vision.
