Macular Degeneration Stages

Macular degeneration stages start with early AMD and can progress to late stage or end stage macular degeneration. It is a progressive disease of the retina and almost always starts out as the dry form before progressing to the advanced or wet form.

The vast majority of patients with this macular disease have dry age related macular degeneration (AMD).

The progression is different for each person and for each eye.

macular degeneration stages

Image from National Institute of Health

This retinal disease can progress very slowly and can take many years for visual changes to develop or it can turn quickly and develop into advanced or wet macular degeneration quite suddenly. Dry AMD is the most common form of macular degeneration.  It is usually associated with a slower progression and less vision loss compared to wet AMD.



Age Related Macular Degeneration

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

beginning stages of macular degeneration

1. Early AMD or Beginning Stages of Macular Degeneration

2. Intermediate AMD

3. Advanced AMD

Each eye may be in a different stage.

Early or Beginning Stages of Macular Degeneration

Early macular degeneration is the first stage of dry macular degeneration. With the beginning stages of macular degeneration there are no symptoms or vision loss at this stage. It is discovered by your eye doctor during a retinal exam and is identified as several small drusen or a few medium sized drusen. In early AMD there are changes in the retina that can only be detected by your eye doctor. They include:

√ Several small drusen or a few medium sized drusen.

stages of macular degeneration

Drusen is a German word meaning "stoney granule." These yellow or orange colored spots can be seen during a routine eye exam. It is important to know the size and number of them to track your AMD progression. The key words are small and few.

√ No Symptoms

√ No Vision Loss

Vision can remain normal and unchanged. The ophthalmologist will note the size and number of drusen which will then need to be monitored.

Many people over the age of 60 will have some macular drusen, but not everyone with drusen will develop symptoms of AMD.

If you have been diagnosed with this stage of AMD, it is a wake-up call for you to be proactive in protecting your retinal health. Get educated now on diet, supplements and protecting your eyes.

It is much easier to work on preventing the progression of this eye disease than it is to treat later stages.

Intermediate AMD

In this stage there are many medium sized drusen and one or more large, irregular shaped soft. Macular degeneration symptoms occur at this stage. Some of these symptoms are the need for more light and a noticeable blurred spot in the middle of one's vision. Now the number of drusen has increased as has the size of them.

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

Larger drusen indicate a higher risk of developing wet macular degeneration.

The drusen are now becoming larger and there is more of them. They now become a problem as they prevent nutrients from getting to the macula and cause the accumulation of waste products. As a result Retinal Pigment Epithelial cells (RPE) waste away and die.

macular degeneration stages

√ RPE cells start clumping in response respond to a lack of nutrients

√ Symptoms include a blurred spot in the center of vision

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

√ Need more light for reading or tasks

Advanced AMD

Advanced AMD is either a break-down of light sensitive cells and supporting tissue in the central retinal area (advanced dry form), or the development of abnormal and fragile blood vessels under the retina (wet form).

Advanced AMD (age related macular degeneration) is the third stage of macular degeneration.

stages of macular degeneration

  Normal                   Wet AMD                 Dry 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 light-sensitive cells in the macula and the supporting tissue

macular degeneration stages

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

√ Detailed tasks such as reading and writing become 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.

End Stage Macular Degeneration

End stage macular degeneration is the last stage of AMD. It can occur in those with dry macular degeneration as geographic atrophy or result in a macular scar for those who have wet AMD.

stages of macular degeneration

Both of these result in permanent vision loss (not blindness) and can no longer be treated by eye injections or surgery.

However, new technology continues to develop to maximize one's vision with high tech glasses.

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:

stages of macular degeneration

√ vitamin C

√ vitamin E,

√ beta-carotene

√ and zinc.

Click here for more information on macular degeneration vitamins:

Macular Degeneration Vitamins

Include foods that are rich in anti-oxidants such as blueberries or wild salmon. 

Antioxidant rich foods fight free radical damage caused by oxidation to the retina. 

Antioxidant Rich Diet

Being aware of macular degeneration stages will help you understand more about this retinal condition and how to be prepared with questions the next time you see your eye doctor. 

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