Dry Macular Degeneration
What is Macular Degeneration?Perhaps you have heard for the first time that you or your loved one has macular degeneration. Often times patients are given the diagnosis but then left on their own to find out what it means, how it progresses and what kind of vision loss is to be expected. What is Macular Degeneration?Dry Age Related Macular DegenerationDry age related macular degeneration (AMD) is given this name because typically it is a retinal condition that affects the senior population. The older a person is, the higher the risk he/she has for developing AMD. The dry form means that the eye has not developed fragile and leaking blood vessels under the macula which causes a more sudden and severe vision loss.Other names for this macular disease is atrophic macular degeneration or non-neovascular AMD. Macular DrusenThe first clue your ophthalmologist will have that you have dry AMD is the presence of
drusen
which are yellowish deposits of lipids (waste material) in the
macula
(the center of the retina).
There are actually two types of drusen - the hard drusen which is less harmful and the soft drusen which is an indicator of macular degeneration. Blurry central vision or a blurry spot, called a scotoma , in the center of your vision may be your first symptom. Dry AMD has three stages and each eye may be in a different stage of AMD. It is believed that all macular degeneration begins with the dry form. Early Macular DegenerationPeople with early AMD have either several small, soft drusen or a few medium-sized drusen.At this stage, there are no symptoms and no vision loss. If persons are diagnosed with the early form of dry AMD, usually they are told that nothing can be done to reverse their condition or to halt its progression. Patients are often encouraged to: √ Take vitamins for macular degeneration 
√ Wear a visor or hat √ Test themselves frequently using a
macular degeneration grid or Amsler Grid
√ Follow a
macular degeneration diet
Intermediate Dry AMDPeople with intermediate AMD have:
√ either many medium-sized drusen or one or more large,irregular shaped drusen (called soft drusen) √ may have a blurry spot (scotoma) in the center of their vision √ may have a distortion of images in the central part of their vision √ require more light for reading and other tasks √ higher contrast is needed to see things
Here is a macular degeneration picture showing intermediate age-related macular degeneration. Notice the small yellow spots which are drusen.
Geographic AtrophyGeographic atrophy is the third stage of dry macular degeneration.In addition to drusen, , people with advanced AMD, or geographic atrophy, have a breakdown of light-sensitive cells and nearby tissue in the central retinal area. This breakdown can cause a blurred spot in the center of your vision. Over time, the blurred spot may get bigger and darker, taking more of your central vision. You may have difficulty reading or recognizing faces until they are very close to you. Macular degeneration is a progressive disease. The progression is different for each person. The progression can be very slow and take many years or it can turn quickly and develop into wet AMD or geographic atrophy. Click here to read more about late-stage dry macular degeneration better known as geographic atrophy:
Geographic Atrophy
For more information click here:
Wet Macular Degeneration
Dry Macular Degeneration TreatmentAlthough there are no FDA approved medications, macular degeneration treatment options for dry AMD consists of diet, lifestyle choices and nutritional supplements.It is possible to slow the progression of this disease. To learn how click here:
Dry Macular Degeneration Treatment
Macular Degeneration PrognosisHow fast will my dry macular degeneration progress? Can dry AMD turn into wet AMD? Will my eye sight get worse?These are all great questions. Find out what factors can influence the progression of this retinal disease:
Macular Degeneration Prognosis
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