If you’re wondering if you have macular degeneration, there are several symptoms to keep an eye on.
This condition is a common disorder that affects many people as they age. The symptoms can vary, from dark patches in your vision to straight lines appearing wavy and distorted.
In this article, we cover some of the symptoms of dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD).
What Is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is a degenerative eye disease that occurs when the macula (part of your eye) begins to break down, often with age. The macula helps control your central vision, and once macular degeneration sits in, your central vision can be affected and gradually degrade.
Dry AMD is the most common version of macular degeneration. It involves the accumulation of drusen, waste products that appear as yellow debris, under the macula.
Wet AMD is less common, and develops from dry AMD. New blood vessels form under the retina and begin to leak, causing macular scarring and damaging vision.
To diagnose macular degeneration, visit your doctor or optometrist. Using specialist equipment, such as OCT scans, they will be able to see behind your eye to your macula, and be able to assess if you are affected by AMD and what stage it is at.
Symptoms Of Macular Degeneration
There are several symptoms of macular degeneration to be aware of:
Blurred and Distorted Central Vision
One of the most common symptoms of dry AMD is blurred and distorted central vision. It can cause straight lines to appear wavy, or generally disrupt the central vision. This can make it much harder to see faces, and interfere with daily activities such as driving or reading. Blurred vision can be the first symptom to occur.
Loss of Central Vision
As macular degeneration progresses, some people may lose their central field of vision entirely. While their peripheral vision (vision around the edges of their eyes) may be fine, their central vision may be lost entirely as it progresses.
Straight Lines Appearing Wavy
Instead of lines appearing straight, dry AMD can cause them to appear wavy or bent. An Amsler grid, a square grid filled with lines, can be used to track the advancement of AMD, and is often used by opticians to assess which stage it is currently at.
Issues With Light
Dry AMD can affect how people perceive light. For example, it may cause people to become more light sensitive, with brighter light becoming painful. Alternatively, brighter light may be needed to compensate for vision loss when trying to read or do close up work. Low lighting can also be an issue, and adjusting to dim rooms can become more difficult.
Visual Hallucinations
Also known as Charles Bonnet syndrome, people with AMD who lose their central vision can experience visual hallucinations. This may be due to the brain filling in images where it can no longer see - such as the pattern of wallpaper, or even people. Some may be reluctant to bring this up, but it is more common in cases of dry AMD than people may think.
Can You Prevent Macular Degeneration?
While there is no guaranteed way to stop age-related macular degeneration in its tracks, there are several steps that people can take to prevent macular degeneration:
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Quitting smoking.
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Maintaining a healthy weight.
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Engaging in regular exercise.
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Eating a diet high in antioxidants and fish.
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Protecting their eyes with sunglasses in bright light.
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Scheduling regular eye exams to catch symptoms early.
Macular degeneration can be hereditary, and while it may not be able to be stopped completely, these steps can help to slow lower the risks.
Can You Stop Macular Degeneration?
There is no way to completely stop or reverse the progress of macular degeneration. Dry AMD can progress over several years, with symptoms developing very slowly. However, there are options to treat dry AMD and preserve vision for as long as possible.
Macular Degeneration Treatment With DryAMD Clinic
If you have macular degeneration, there is treatment available. Here at DryAMD Clinic, we are pioneering dry AMD treatment in the UK through the use of photobiomodulation, a form of light therapy that uses red and yellow light to promote healing and stimulate cellular activity.
Our treatment methods are safe, effective, and proven, providing anti-inflammatory effects and reducing drusen accumulation in dry AMD.
Get in touch today to book an appointment or speak to one of our team members about our treatment options.