Types of Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration, commonly known as age-related macular degeneration, is the leading cause of blindness and vision loss in individuals 65 and older. This eye disease primarily affects the central vision and severity of blindness and/or loss of vision can vary depending on how advanced the macular degeneration is. Read the sections below to learn more about the types of macular degeneration and how they affect one’s overall vision.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

For people over the age of 60, age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of severe vision loss. This disease affects an individual’s central vision, which makes it difficult to drive, read, and complete several daily activities.

Age-related macular degeneration occurs when the center of the retina (the macula) degenerates causing the central vision to deteriorate. Rather than seeing the whole picture, an individual with age-related macular degeneration would see a dark or blind area in the central field of vision. Eventually, complete vision loss or blindness can occur.

There are several symptoms for age-related macular degeneration. A few include:

• A blind spot or dark area in the central field of vision
• Blurry or hazy vision
• Small yellow deposits on the retina (found in an eye exam)

Age-related macular degeneration is a scary possibility for many seniors as it could lead to greater dependence on others. However, there are several treatments available for age-related macular degeneration including medication and possible surgery. Many people can and have lived with this disease and educating yourself on the causes, symptoms and treatment will better prepare you if vision loss occurs due to age-related macular degeneration.

Dry Macular Degeneration

Approximately 90 percent of age-related macular degeneration sufferers have dry macular degeneration, an early stage of this disease. Central vision loss can occur with dry macular degeneration, however, it is not nearly as severe as it is in the wet form.

Though scientists are not sure what causes dry macular degeneration, they speculate that a part of the retina becomes diseased and leads to the destruction of the light-sensing cells in the macula. Aging and thinning of macular tissues can also lead to dry macular degeneration.

If you suffer from dry macular degeneration, learn more about causes, symptoms, and treatments.

Advanced Wet Macular Degeneration

About 10 percent of people are affected with an advanced type of age-related macular degeneration known as wet macular degeneration. This form of the disease is more advanced and damaging than dry macular degeneration because it leads to the formation of new blood vessels within the eye that leak fluid and blood under the macula. This fluid leakage damages the macula and leads to vision loss in a short amount of time.

Wet forms of macular degeneration can be divided into two groups:

• Classic Wet Macular Degeneration:

  Associated with more severe vision loss. Occurs when growth of the blood vessels has clear outlines that can be seen beneath the retina.

• Occult Wet Macular Degeneration:

  In this type of advanced macular degeneration, leakage and growth behind the retina is not as evident, producing less severe vision loss.

Wet macular degeneration accounts for 90 percent of all blindness in age-related macular degeneration cases. Treatments such as surgery and medication are options for individual’s that suffer from this advanced form of macular degeneration.

Find a Doctor for Diagnosis of Macular Degeneration

The information about advanced, wet, and dry age-related macular degeneration is designed to provide patients with an overview of this eye disease. An eye exam by a physician in your area is recommended to determine type and treatment for age-related macular degeneration. DocShop can provide you with a list of physicians in your community, find an ophthalmologist today.