Macular Degeneration Stages


Macular degeneration stages start with early AMD and can progress to late stage macular degeneration.


Dry Age Related Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a progressive disease. It almost always starts out as the dry form before progressing to the advanced or wet form.

To learn more about dry age related macular degeneration click here:

Dry or Atrophic Macular Degeneration

Age Related Macular Degeneration

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is identified by three different stages.

Each eye may be in a different stage.

1. Early AMD

2. Intermediate AMD

3. Advanced AMD




Early AMD

Early AMD is identified by:

√ Several small drusen or a few medium sized drusen identified by

√ No Symptoms

√ No Vision Loss


Intermediate AMD

√ Many medium sized drusen and one or more large, irregular shaped soft drusen drusen, macular degeneration picture

√ Symptoms include a blurred spot in the center of vision

√ May experience a blind sport or scotoma in the center of vision

√ Images in the center of vision may be distorted

√ May need more light for reading or tasks


Advanced AMD

Dry macular degeneration progresses to the wet form in aproximately 10 percent of cases. Wet macular degeneration is advanced AMD and is identified by:

√ Several large drusen

√ Breakdown of cells in the macula (center of the retina)

√ Breakdown of light-sensitive cells in the macula and the supporting tissue

√ Exerience a blurred spot in the center of one's vision

√ Detailed tasks such as reading and writing becomes more difficult

Because this is a progressive disease the blurred spot may get bigger and darker, involving more of your central vision.

People who have advanced AMD in one eye are at high risk of developing advanced AMD in the other eye.

Slow the Progression of AMD

According to October 2001 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, people at high risk of developing advanced AMD, lowered their risk by about 25 percent when treated with a high-dose combination of:

√ vitamin C

√ vitamin E,

√ beta-carotene

√ and zinc.

Click here for more information on macular degeneration vitamins: Macular Degeneration Vitamins



Go from Macular Degeneration Stages to Definition of Macular Degeneration

Would you like to be updated on:

√ The Latest Macular Degeneration Clinical Trials?

√ Prevention of Macular Degeneration?

√ Tips for Daily Living?

√ Food Suggestions for a Macular Degeneration Diet?

√ Ideas on Visual Aids to Maximize your Sight?

If you said "yes" to any of the above, sign up for my monthly Macular Degeneration News.

Enter your E-mail Address
Enter your First Name (optional)
Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you WebRN-Macular Degeneration News.

footer for macular degeneration stages page