Macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) isn't a painful condition. Some people don't realise they have it until they notice a loss of vision.
The main symptom of macular degeneration is blurring of your central vision (what you see when you focus straight ahead). This means:
Your peripheral vision (side vision) isn't affected. Glasses won't be able to correct your blurred central vision.
Both eyes tend toeventually be affected by AMD, although you may only notice problems in one eye to begin with.
If you have dry AMD, it may take5 to 10 years before your Visual impairment significantly affects your daily life.
Sometimes your healthy eye will compensate for any blurring or vision lossif only one of your eyes is affected. This means it will take longer before your symptoms become noticeable.
You may have dry AMD if:
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you should make an appointment with your GP or local optometrist (a healthcare professional trained to recognise signs of eye problems).
Read about diagnosing age-related macular degeneration .
In most cases, wet AMD develops in people who've already had dry AMD.
If you have wet AMD, any blurring in your central vision will suddenly worsen.
You may also experience other symptoms, such as:
See complications of AMD for more information.
Book an emergency appointment with an optometrist if you experience sudden changes in your vision, such as those described above.
Wet AMD needs to be treated as soon as possible to stop your vision getting worse.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a painless eye condition that causes you to lose central vision, usually in both eyes. Central vision is what you see when you focus straight ahead. In AMD, this vision becomes increasingly blurred.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) isn't a painful condition. Some people don't realise they have it until they notice a loss of vision. The main symptom of macular degeneration is blurring of your central vision that affects your ability to see objects and fine detail clearly.
The exact cause of macular degeneration isn't known, but the condition develops as the eye ages. Dry AMD is the result of a build-up of waste material in the retina. Wet AMD is caused by tiny blood vessels that grow under the macula.
In some cases, early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may be detected during a routine eye test before it starts to cause symptoms. Visit your GP or make an appointment with an optometrist trained to recognize signs of eye problems
There's currently no cure for either type of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), although vision aids and treatments may help. It's important to check with your GP before taking supplements.
Possible complications of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), including depression, anxiety and visual hallucinations caused by Charles Bonnet syndrome.
Barbara Watson talks about how age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affected her. She says she found out she had macular degeneration when she went to the optician for some new glasses.