Macular degeneration: find it early, slow it down
Monitoring for dry AMD, prompt treatment for wet AMD, and a simple check you can do at home.
In short: macular degeneration (AMD) affects the center of your vision, which you use to read, drive and recognize faces. It usually starts after 50. Dry AMD changes slowly; wet AMD can change quickly and needs treatment right away.
Signs to watch for
- A blurry or blank spot in the center of your vision
- Straight lines that look wavy or bent
- Colors that look duller, or objects that look a different size in each eye
Check your eyes at home
Hold the grid at reading distance with your reading glasses on. Cover one eye and look at the center dot. Are all the lines straight and the squares even? Then check the other eye.
If any lines look wavy, blurry or missing, call us to schedule an exam. A screen check does not replace an eye exam.
Who is at higher risk
- Age over 50
- Family history
- Smoking
- High blood pressure, high cholesterol or obesity
What is happening inside your eye
The macula is a spot smaller than a pencil eraser at the center of the retina, packed with the cells that see fine detail. In dry AMD those cells slowly thin. In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow underneath and leak, which can blur or distort the center of your vision quickly.
Explore the eyeHow we treat it
Monitoring and vitamins
Regular dilated exams, and guidance on AREDS2 vitamins for people at higher risk of advanced AMD.
In-eye injections
Medicine placed in the eye to slow leaking blood vessels.
Laser and photodynamic therapy
Light-based treatments used in some cases to seal abnormal vessels.
Low vision help
Referrals to community resources for magnifiers, training and counseling.
Common questions
Can macular degeneration be cured?
Not yet. Treatment can slow it down, which is why finding it early matters.
Should I take eye vitamins?
AREDS2 vitamins can help people with intermediate or advanced AMD. They are not right for everyone, so ask your doctor before starting.
Will I go blind?
AMD affects central vision. Side vision usually remains, and treatment and low vision tools help many people stay independent.
Can dry AMD turn into wet AMD?
Yes, at any stage, and there is no way to predict when. That is why regular exams and home checks are important.
Talk to a Lumen doctor
Book online or call, and we will match you with the right doctor and office.