Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): Symptoms and treatment Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What is age-related macular degeneration AMD Medically reviewed by Grace Zhang, MD — By Yvette Brazier — Updated on May 29, 2022Macular degeneration affects the retina, a layer at the back of the eyeball. This layer contains light-sensitive cells that enable a person to see. Share on PinterestAntonio Garcia Recena/Getty ImagesAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects a person’s central vision. It becomes more common after the age of 60 years. The first sign of AMD is often blurred vision. Reading, writing, recognizing faces, and driving can become more difficult. However, there is usually enough peripheral vision to allow other daily activities. Total vision loss is unlikely. This article looks at the types, symptoms, and treatment for AMD. Types AMD can be wet or dry. Dry AMD, also known as atrophic AMD, develops gradually. There is no treatment, but a person can learn strategies to cope with it. This type accounts for 85–90% of cases. Wet or exudative AMD, also known as advanced neovascular AMD, happens when new blood vessels develop under the macula. These can cause blood and fluid to leak. This type tends to progress more quickly and results in more severe vision loss. In 10–15% of people with AMD, the dry form progresses to the wet form. This can happen at any stage of dry AMD. Juvenile macular degeneration can affect younger people. It stems from a genetic condition. What is the difference between wet and dry AMD? Symptoms Share on PinterestVision without AMD (left), and how AMD can affect vision (right). National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsDoctors do not consider wet AMD to have an early or intermediate stage. They regard wet AMD as advanced stage AMD. In the advanced stage, symptoms are the same for wet and dry AMD. The table below shows how symptoms can affect a person. Dry AMDWet AMDEarly stageno symptomsnot applicableIntermediate stageno symptoms / mild symptoms, including blurriness and difficulty seeing in low lightnot applicableAdvanced stageblurring or blank spots in the central visionstraight lines starting to look wavy or crookedcolors appearing fadeddifficulty seeing in low lightas for dry AMD Causes Doctors do not know exactly why AMD occurs, but genetic and environmental factors may play a role, including oxidative stress. Features of AMD include:changes in pigmentationdrusen, which are fat deposits that appear as pale yellow spots on the retinaa thickening of Bruch’s membrane, a layer between the retina and the choroidbasal laminar deposits on the retina consisting of collagen fibers and other substancesin dry AMD, a thinning of the retina around the maculain wet AMD, new blood vessels form rapidly and incorrectly, leading to lesions, scarring, exuding of fluid, and internal bleeding Risk factors Factors that may increase AMD risk include:being aged over 60 yearssmokinghaving a family history of AMD, as around 15–20% of those with AMD have a close relative who also has ithigh blood pressureobesitya diet that is high in fat and processed foodsa low intake of certain nutrients, such as antioxidants and zincexposure to UV rays, for example, from sunlight There is evidence that AMD and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share some risk factors. Scientists are not entirely sure what links them. However, lifestyle choices that reduce CVD risk may also help reduce the risk of AMD. Diagnosis If vision problems start to occur, a person should contact an eye doctor, an optometrist, or an ophthalmologist. The doctor will give the person some eye drops to dilate the pupil and then examine the eye. They may also recommend:Optical coherence tomography: Special light rays scan the retina and take an image. The image can show if the macula has any unusual features.Amsler grid: The person looks at a grid with vertical and horizontal lines. If AMD is present, some of the lines on the grid may seem distorted, broken, or faded.Fluorescein angiography: The doctor may recommend this if they suspect wet AMD. The doctor injects a dye into the person’s arm and examines their eyes with a special magnifying device. They can take pictures of the eye that show whether the blood vessels behind the macula are leaking. Treatment Treatment for AMD cannot restore vision, but it can slow vision loss. Dry AMD There is no treatment for dry AMD, but tips that can help a person manage it include:choosing larger print books or increasing the font size on screensusing magnifying deviceschanging the lighting Wet AMD Some treatments can help slow the progression of wet AMD. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor medication Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a chemical that contributes to the formation of new blood vessels in the eyes. In people with wet AMD, anti-VEGF drugs block this chemical and prevent the overproduction of blood vessels. Examples include: ranibizumab (Lucentis)bevacizumab (Avastin)aflibercept (Eyelea) To deliver the drugs, a doctor will:apply an anestheticclean the eye, usually with Betadine, to reduce the risk of infectioninject the drug into the eye with a very fine needle The person may need this injection once a month, at least to start with. After this, the intervals may be longer. Possible side effects include bleeding under the conjunctiva. In very rare cases, complications can occur, such as: retinal detachmentdamage to the lens of the eyeinfection Photodynamic therapy Doctors sometimes use this type of laser treatment alongside anti-VEGF injections. A doctor will: inject the drug verteporfin into the armnumb the eyeplace a special contact lens on the eyeapply a laser light with a specific wavelength to the blood vessels in the back of the eye This breaks down the blood vessels that are causing wet AMD. How useful is laser treatment for AMD? Home and natural remedies For a person with AMD in one eye, dietary supplements may help prevent or slow the development of AMD in the other eye. AREDS 2 supplements consist of a special formulation for people who have or are at risk of AMD. They contain:vitamin Cvitamin Ebeta carotenezinccuprid oxide (copper)luteinzeaxanthin A person cannot obtain the right combination of these nutrients from diet alone. Combined in this way, they may help slow the progression of AMD. A 2020 review suggests that some herbal and natural remedies may help prevent AMD, although there is not enough evidence to show that they will make a difference. It concludes that some medicinal plants may help, for example:saffronbilberry and blueberry extractsturmeric The following antioxidants may also have benefits:carotenoids, which give rise to vitamin Apolyphenol, such as resveratrolflavonoids, such as quercetinanthocyanidins, which give red, blue, and purple plants their coloringvitamin C and E These antioxidants are present in plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Anyone who wishes to try supplements or significantly increase their intake of certain foods should first speak with a doctor. Some herbs, spices, and even foods can interact with certain drugs. Can supplements help with AMD? Other options In the future, the following may be options for people with AMD: Stem cell therapy Studies have suggested that human stem cells might enable the retina to repair itself one day. In 2018, The BMJ reported that two people with very severe wet AMD had recovered their sight after stem cell therapy. Implantable telescope A 2016 investigation found that an implantable miniature telescope might improve the vision of people with advanced AMD. Benefits include the recovery of some sight and a greater scope for independence. However, the person would not regain their full field of vision or be able to drive a car. Can treatment reverse macular degeneration? Complications Vision loss due to AMD can affect a person’s quality of life and lead to various complications, such as:a higher risk of fallsan inability to carry out daily activities, including drivinganxiety and depression However, rehabilitation and support are available for people with AMD. A low vision specialist can help people learn how to use their remaining vision to its maximum potential in their daily activities. Prevention It is not always possible to prevent AMD, but these tips may help:following a diet that contains plenty of fruits and vegetablesexercising regularlyavoiding risk factors for CVD, as there may be a linkquitting or avoiding smokinghaving regular eye testswearing sunglasses that block UV rays to protect the eyes from damage The authors of a 2021 review found evidence that increasing the intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, may reduce the risk of an early subtype of AMD. Again, more research is needed to confirm this. Frequently asked questions People often ask the following questions about AMD. Is there any treatment for AMD There is no treatment for dry AMD, the most common type. However, anti-VEGF medication can help slow or stop the damage that wet AMD causes. Taking AREDS 2 can help slow the progression of dry AMD. What are the early warning signs of AMD The first sign is usually blurry vision or changes to central vision. A person may not notice any changes in the early stages, but an eye test may detect them. What causes AMD AMD happens as the macula, a part of the retina, degenerates over time. Smoking may increase the risk, and there may be a link with CVD. Video What is AMD The video below explains what macular degeneration is and how it affects vision. Summary Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that can affect central vision. It is common among older adults. A person with AMD will not have complete vision loss, but it will become harder for them to read, drive, and do other daily tasks. Dry AMD is the most common type. It progresses slowly and happens as the macula gets thinner. There is no cure, but some lifestyle remedies can help people manage with reduced vision. Wet AMD can progress quickly. It happens when blood vessels in the back of the eye start to develop incorrectly. Anyone who notices changes in their vision should see an opthalmologist. If wet AMD is present, early treatment can help manage it. Last medically reviewed on May 29, 2022Eye Health / BlindnessMedically reviewed by Grace Zhang, MD — By Yvette Brazier — Updated on May 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageAge-related macular degeneration: Dry type Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) dry type progresses more slowly than wet AMD. There is no cure, but treatment can slow vision loss.READ MOREWhat is exudative macular degeneration? Exudative macular degeneration is a progressive eye disease that causes leaky blood vessels and can lead to vision loss. Learn more.READ MOREWhat to know about juvenile macular degenerationMedically reviewed by Leela Raju, MD What is juvenile macular degeneration and how does it affect the eye? Read on to learn more about this vision condition, including causes and how it…READ MOREMacular degeneration vs. Cataracts: ComparisonsMedically reviewed by Vicente Diaz, MD, MBA Cataracts and macular degeneration can affect a person's vision over time. Learn how they differ in terms of symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and…READ MORE'Wet' AMD Treatments Keep Elderly Patients Driving Elderly struggling with the advanced neovascular, or 'wet', form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can be treated with ranibizumab, which…READ MORE