Patient Education
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in adults over 50. It affects the macula — the small central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision used for reading, driving, and recognizing faces.
Typical Symptoms
- Blurry or distorted central vision
- Straight lines appearing wavy or bent
- Difficulty reading fine print
- Colors appearing less vivid
- A blurry or dark spot in the center of your vision
- Need for brighter light when reading
How It's Diagnosed
Dilated Eye Exam
Your doctor examines the back of your eye after dilating (widening) your pupils. This lets us look closely at the macula for early signs of damage.
OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography)
A painless scan that takes detailed cross-section images of your retina, showing changes in the layers of the macula.
Amsler Grid
A simple grid of straight lines. If the lines appear wavy or missing, it can indicate macular changes.
Fluorescein Angiography
A dye is injected into your arm and photographs are taken as it flows through the blood vessels in your retina — helps detect abnormal vessel growth in wet AMD.
How It Affects Vision
AMD affects central vision but typically spares peripheral (side) vision. Early stages may cause only mild blurring, while advanced AMD can make it very difficult to read, drive, or recognize faces. It rarely causes complete blindness, but the central vision loss can be profound.
Treatment Options
Anti-VEGF Injections
For wet AMD, regular eye injections with medications like Eylea, Vabysmo, or Lucentis block the abnormal blood vessel growth and can stabilize or even improve vision.
Nutritional Supplements (AREDS2)
For intermediate dry AMD, specific vitamin and mineral supplements (zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin) have been shown to slow progression.
Monitoring & Observation
Early dry AMD is monitored with regular eye exams and home Amsler grid checks. No treatment is needed until there are signs of progression.
Lifestyle Modifications
Quitting smoking, eating a diet rich in leafy greens and fish, and protecting eyes from UV light all help reduce the risk of progression.
When to Seek Urgent Care
If you notice a sudden change in your central vision — especially new distortion, a dark spot, or rapid blurring — call our office immediately or seek urgent eye care. Wet AMD can worsen quickly and early treatment makes a significant difference.
Call us: 210-615-7600