As explained in the last installment of our blog regarding this topic, macular degeneration is an eye condition affecting the macula that causes central vision loss. Additionally, age-related macular degeneration is the most common form of macular degeneration and it comes in two forms: wet and dry.
85-90% of people afflicted with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) suffer from the dry form. Dry macular degeneration results in the deterioration of layers in the retina due to the gradual breakdown of light-sensitive cells in the macula. These cells are responsible for transmitting visual information to the brain, and when they break down it results in a blurring of an individual’s central vision. Symptoms of this form of macular degeneration usually develop gradually and without pain. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Multiple small, round, yellow-white spots in the back of the eye (can be detected through use of an ophthalmoscope)
- Visual distortion
- Reduced central vision in one or both eyes
- Difficulty recognizing faces
- Difficulty adapting to low light levels
- Blurriness of printed word
- Visual distortions
- Decreased intensity of colors
