What is macular degeneration?
The macula is the central part of the retina, responsible for the sharp, detailed vision you use to read, drive, and recognize faces. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that damages the macula over time. It does not cause complete blindness, but it can blur or distort the center of your vision while leaving peripheral (side) vision intact.
AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans over 50. It tends to run in families, and the risk goes up with age, smoking, and certain genetic factors.
Wet vs. dry AMD
AMD comes in two forms:
Dry AMD is the more common form, accounting for about 85–90% of cases. It progresses slowly, often over many years. In its early stages, dry AMD may cause only minimal vision changes. In its advanced form (called geographic atrophy), it can lead to significant central vision loss.
Wet AMD is less common but more aggressive. It happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid or blood, distorting central vision. Wet AMD can cause rapid vision loss if not treated, but modern injection therapy can stop the bleeding and often improve vision.
Symptoms
- Blurred or fuzzy central vision
- Straight lines (door frames, telephone poles) appearing wavy or bent
- A blind spot or dark area in the center of your vision
- Colors appearing less vivid
- Difficulty reading, driving, or recognizing faces
If you notice any of these changes — especially sudden distortion of straight lines — you should be evaluated promptly. Wet AMD responds best to early treatment.
How we diagnose AMD
A complete AMD evaluation in our office includes a dilated examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging to look at the layers of the retina, and — when indicated — fluorescein angiography to identify abnormal blood vessels.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on which form of AMD you have.
Dry AMD: treatment historically focused on monitoring and AREDS2 nutritional supplements. Newer options include intravitreal complement inhibitor injections for geographic atrophy, and Valeda photobiomodulation — a non-invasive light therapy.
Wet AMD: the most common treatment is an in-office injection of anti-VEGF medication into the eye. These injections block the growth of abnormal blood vessels and the leakage that damages vision. Most patients require ongoing injections on a personalized schedule.
Active clinical trials
We may have ongoing enrollment for clinical trials in wet AMD and geographic atrophy. If you have either condition, you may qualify. View our active trials →
Valeda for dry AMD
Valeda photobiomodulation is a newer, non-invasive option for patients with dry AMD — an FDA-cleared light therapy delivered in-office. Learn more about Valeda →
Nutritional supplements
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS2) identified a specific combination of vitamins and minerals shown to reduce the risk of progression in patients with at least intermediate AMD. We can advise you on whether AREDS2 supplements are appropriate based on your specific findings.