December 02, 2009
Do You Know the Difference between Dry and Wet AMD?
Although both of these eye diseases involve the dying or degeneration of the cells found in the macula, the prognosis and the treatment of these two eye conditions are very different.
Dry Macular Degeneration
Dry macular degeneration is the most common form of AMD and the one that causes the least vision loss. 85-90% of patients with AMD have the dry form. You may hear other names for dry AMD such as non-neovascular AMD or atrophic macular degeneration.
Non-neovascular means that there is no new blood vessels growing under the macula. The macula is responsible for our straight ahead and sharp, detailed vision.
Dry AMD progresses slowly and most people never develop the wet form. If you have dry AMD only in one eye, you may hardly notice your vision changes.
To learn more about dry macular degeneration symptoms and what you can do to try to slow the progression of this eye disease click here:
Wet Macular Degeneration
About 10-15% of those with dry AMD will go on to develop wet macular degeneration. Other names for wet AMD are choroidal neovascularization and exudative macular degeneration.
Wet macular degeneration gets its name from the fluid that leaks from new, abnormal blood vessels that grow under the macula. This fluid builds up under the macula causing vision to be distorted and straight lines to appear wavy.
Vision loss can be very sudden with this type of macular degeneration and more severe. It is the central vision that is most affected as you can see from this picture. Peripheral or side vision remains unaffected.
To learn more about wet macular degeneration symptoms, prognosis, treatment and research click here:
Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration
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Leslie Degner, RN, BSN
Better Health for Better Vision
www.WebRN-MacularDegneration.com