Macular Degeneration Symptoms

There are two types of age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD). In dry AMD, the cells in the macula break down; in wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and start to leak damaging the retina. Both versions led to central visual loss; however, those patients suffering from wet AMD tend to have more dramatic vision loss. There are visual changes that, if a person begins to notice, should direct the patient to have a complete eye exam.

Changes in Straight Lines

• When a person with AMD looks at a straight line, the line appears crooked; one of the main tests for AMD is a black and white checkerboard pattern grid called the Amsler grid.

Change in Central Visual Field

• Often people with AMD develop a blind or blurry spot in the center of the vision; the problems with the central visual field can also manifest itself as difficulty recognizing faces or distinguishing facial features.

Increased Need for Light

• As the cells in the retina degenerate, the person may notice more difficulty with reading and other close work and find that brighter lights may improve the vision.

Decrease in Intensity of Colors

• Colors may also appear faded in patients with AMD; this is usually a gradual change and may not be as readily apparent if only one eye is affected.

Sudden Visual Loss

• People with wet AMD may develop sudden central vision loss in one eye; this is caused by bleeding from the abnormal blood vessels damaging the cells in the central retina.

Considerations

• AMD may develop in one eye at a time and the patient may not notice the changes because the other eye may compensate for the loss of vision.