| The two important types of age related macular | | | | Symptoms include slightly blurred vision, unable to |
| degeneration are wet AMD and dry AMD. The | | | | recognize faces, unable to do simple tasks such |
| forms can attack any one or both of the eyes. A | | | | as reading in normal light and require more light. |
| patient diagnosed for dry AMD can later develop | | | | An early sign of dry AMD is the yellow deposits, |
| wet AMD. | | | | known as drusen, under the retina which can only |
| Wet AMD: This type of age-related macular | | | | be recognized by an ophthalmologist during an eye |
| degeneration is caused by the abnormal growth | | | | exam. Increase in size and number of drusen |
| of blood vessels behind the retina. This happens | | | | worsens dry AMD. Thinning of the macula is |
| when the membrane underlying the retina breaks | | | | another symptom. |
| and disrupts the oxygen supply to the macula. | | | | In the initial stages, dry AMD will go unrecognized |
| The new blood vessels, which are very delicate, | | | | as it can only be found by a detailed examination. |
| grow under the macula and often rupture easily | | | | Most people realize dry AMD during a later stage, |
| leaking fluids and blood. This leaking alters the | | | | when they need more light to do simple |
| position of macula and causes scarring. Wet AMD | | | | day-to-day activities like reading. A blurred spot in |
| occurs suddenly resulting in the loss of central | | | | the center of vision is also seen by some people. |
| vision. | | | | It is wise to take professional advice during this |
| Distorted vision and straight line appearing wavy | | | | stage. |
| are the initial symptoms of wet AMD. This is the | | | | In the advanced stage their will be a total breakup |
| most severe form of AMD and immediate | | | | in vision with only peripheral vision seen clearly. |
| professional advice should be taken. | | | | This is mainly due to the increase in the size and |
| Of all age-related macular degeneration cases, | | | | number of drusen. Patients also lose color |
| only 10% is due to wet AMD but it causes the | | | | perception and recognizing faces becomes difficult |
| maximum damage and can lead to blindness. If | | | | in this stage. One of the major problems with dry |
| detected early, laser treatment can be effective | | | | AMD is that it impairs a single eye and since the |
| in stopping the leak of the blood vessels causing | | | | other eye functions smoothly the problem goes |
| wet AMD. | | | | unnoticed. Most people recognize the problem only |
| Dry AMD: Macula is made of light-sensitive cells | | | | when both of the eyes are affected. |
| and the breaking down of these cells leads to dry | | | | Taking an active role in eye protection is very |
| AMD. This type of age-related macular | | | | much necessary. While having an appointment |
| degeneration appears slowly and leads to the | | | | with an ophthalmologist, clear all your doubts. The |
| blurring of central vision. Of the two types, dry | | | | amount of literature available on eye diseases is |
| AMD occurs most commonly and is also known | | | | huge and most of them can be downloaded from |
| as atrophic AMD as it is caused by the death of | | | | the Internet. Talk to your friends and relatives |
| the cells in macula. | | | | about your condition, they might offer helpful tips. |