Disease focus

Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration

Two elderly blind people on a bench in the park

Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (dAMD)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a retinal disease that can blur your central vision. It occurs when aging causes damage to the macula, the part of the eye that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision. AMD is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, particularly in higher-income countries.

There are two types of AMD, Dry and Wet:

Dry AMD: Dry AMD is a slow deterioration of the cells of the macula, often over many years, as the retinal cells die off and are not replaced. Patients with dry AMD, particularly advanced disease, experience significant visual function impairment. Symptoms include reduced central vision, decreased ability to see at night, increased visual blurriness, distortion of straight lines and text, and faded color vision.
Wet AMD: Wet, or neovascular, AMD is a less common advanced type of AMD that can cause rapid and severe vision loss. Wet AMD involves the uncontrolled growth of new blood vessels in the back of the eye leading to damage in the macula.

The progression of dry AMD varies but can take a long time so many suffering with the condition do not immediately seek medical help and diagnosis can therefore be delayed.

Further information on the symptoms and causes of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can be found here.