Age-Related Macular Degeneration
As dry AMD deteriorates the central vision, you may see a blurred spot. This occurs because a large group of cells in the macula have stopped working. Over time, the spot will enlarge and become darker, giving you loss of central vision.
Those who suffer from dry AMD in only one eye often do not notice a change in their vision. With one good eye, they can see fine details and still drive and read. Some people only notice a change in their vision when both eyes have been affected.
Wet AMD has early warning signals. Straight lines may appear wavy. This happens when the new blood vessels leak fluid under the macula. The fluid moves the macula out of position at the back of the eye and vision is distorted. Another symptom of wet AMD is rapid loss of central vision. As with dry AMD, a blind spot may be noticed.
If you notice any changes in your vision that are mentioned in this article, see your eye specialist immediately. He/she can do simple tests to ensure you do not have AMD. One test is the Visual Acuity Test. This is an eye chart that measures how well you can see at various distances. Another is Pupil Dilation. This test lets your specialist see more of the retina. He/she will put drops into the eye to dilate (open) the pupil. This may cause temporary blurring that will last for only a few hours. The procedure is painless.
One early and common sign of AMD is the presence of Drusen. Drusen are small yellow deposits in the retina. These can be seen during the eye examination mentioned above. Drusen alone does not indicate AMD but does indicate that the eye is at risk for developing it. This allows your specialist to monitor your vision closely with regular eye examinations.
When your eye specialist is conducting the exam, you may be asked to look at an Amsler Grid which resembles a checkerboard. You will be asked to cover one eye and look at a black dot in the center of the grid. While looking at he dot, the straight lines of the grid pattern may appear wavy. Some lines may be missing entirely. These signs may indicate wet AMD.
If your eye care specialist suspects wet AMD, a test called Fluorescein Angiography may be conducted. For this test, dye is injected into a vein in your
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