Macular Degeneration Symptoms
Signs of Macular DegenerationSigns of macular degeneration that your opthalmologist may find during a routine eye exam are macular drusen and/or swelling or discoloration in the retinal pigment epithelium - a layer of the retina.1. Macular Drusen
Drusen
are yellow or off-white deposits under the retina. Alone, they do not cause vision loss. However, an increase in the size and number of macular drusen does increase your risk for
age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
To learn about the difference between hard and soft drusen and which ones are a stronger indication of future vision loss click here: Macular Drusen 2. Wavy Lines - Macular Degeneration GridOne of the most common macular degeneration symptoms is that normally straight lines or objects appear wavy or bent like this picture from the National Eye Institute.
You may have heard of a macular degeneration grid or an Amsler grid. The Amsler Grid, is a grid of horizontal and vertical lines used to monitor a person's vision. If you notice that any of the straight lines look like wavy lines, contact your ophthalmologist. It may indicate a problem with your retina, particularly the macula, the center of the retina. A person can monitor their vision at home by obtaining an Amsler grid from their optometrist or ophthalmologist. To learn why it's important to monitor you vision, how to get a free Amsler Grid and how to use it click here: Macular Degeneration Grid 3. Blurred Vision SymptomBlurred vision is an early symptom of macular degeneration. Age related macular degeneration develops when photorecptor cells, like our rods and cones, start to die because they are not getting the nutrient and oxygen rich blood that they need.In addition waste material is building up which is also causing damage. The macula lutea is a tiny spot in the center of the retina. It is responsible for giving us sharp, clear and detailed vision. Blurry vision develops when the cells in the macula are damaged or start to die. The loss of sharp, detailed vision makes it more difficult to distinguish words in a book or to recognize faces. 4. Central ScotomaA central scotoma is when a dark or blank spot appears in the central portion of your vision. Macular degeneration symptoms develop when there is eye degeneration to the macula lutea - a tiny spot in the back of the retina.The macula lutea is responsible for our central vision. As macular degeneration progresses the photoreceptor cells, especially the cone cells, often die because of problems with getting oxygen and nutrients to the cells and waste products building up. When the cells in the macula degenerate or die, it results in the loss of straight ahead or central vision, making it difficult to read or to recognize faces. To see a picture of a central scotoma and what one sees if this develops click here: Central Scotoma 5. Difficulty Distinguishing ColorsA person who has dry or wet age related macular degeneration will find it hard to distinguish colors.It becomes difficult to match the navy blue socks and black socks that are in the same laundry pile or to see a white car on a gray or snowy day. 6. Charles Bonnet SyndromeA friend of mine whose mother has macular degeneration called me one day and told me about some unusual symptoms her elderly mother was experiencing.Her mother was seeing people and things that weren't in the room or anywhere nearby. Unsure if these visual hallucinations were related to her age related macular degeneration, my friend related what was going on to her mother's eye doctor. Not being familiar with Charles Bonnet Syndrome, the eye doctor told her that "seeing things that are not there" was not related to her AMD. Fortunately, I was able to explain to my friend, that indeed there is a phenomona that is experienced by those who lack visual stimulation called Charles Bonnet Syndrome. Learn more about it here:
Charles Bonnet Syndrome
You will not experience any pain with this vision loss, so you will not feel any changes. If a person has AMD in one eye and not the other, the good eye often compensates for any vision loss or distortion. Without regular eye exams, the change in vision may not be noticed until the second eye becomes affected. Anytime you have a sudden change in vision, such as: blurriness, distortions or a blank or empty spot, notify your ophthalmologist immediately. For More Information:
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