Signs & Symptoms of Wet Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is an eye disease associated with aging. It can either be the wet or dry kind. The disease takes away the patient's central vision, which is needed for seeing things clearly and for daily activities like driving. According to the National Eye Institute some patients who have macular degeneration may not notice any changes in their vision because those changes occur slowly over a long period of time. However, those with the wet kind of macular degeneration usually lose their vision very suddenly. Only 10 or 15 percent of macular degeneration patients suffer from the wet type.

Seeing Dark Spots

• One of the most prevalent symptoms of wet macular degeneration is dark spots in the center of the patient's vision, according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation. The dark spots are due to blood or fluid under the part of the eye known as the macula. The macula is in the center of the retina, which is the back part of the eye that collects light. The dark spots usually affect the central vision and rarely affect peripheral vision. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic say dark spots associated with wet macular degeneration are usually clearly defined.

Distorted Vision

• Some patients suffering from wet macular degeneration may experience distorted vision. Straight lines may appear wavy and doorways may appear crooked. Sometimes objects may appear smaller than they really are. Patients with wet macular degeneration may also have difficulty judging distance.

Color Vision Problems

• Wet macular degeneration can also cause problems with color vision. Colors may not be as bright or intense as they once were. Patients may also lose their ability to see fine details in objects, which can greatly impair their ability to drive, read or do other daily tasks that require detailed sight.

Hallucinations

• Doctors at the Mayo Clinic say some patients suffering from wet macular degeneration may also see things that aren't there. Hallucinations can range from strange patterns, geometric figures, animals and faces. Hallucinations in wet macular degeneration are caused by communication problems between the brain and the macula.