For some people, Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) progresses very slowly and leads to little change in vision. In others, AMD advances faster and may lead to some loss of vision in one or both eyes.
You can’t predict your future with AMD, but it’s worth knowing all you can about what may happen so you can try to plan ahead while doing everything you can to limit your vision loss.
Everyone’s AMD journey is different. But the stages that macular degeneration progresses through (if it progresses) and how each stage affects vision are usually the same. Besides vision-related symptoms, many people also experience a range of emotions as their condition advances—from shock on first being diagnosed, to fear and sadness. With education and help, most people come to terms with their diagnosis and resolve to do all they can to protect their vision.
In the beginning, your doctor may detect small deposits, or drusen, in your macula that can damage the eye, though you may not notice any change in your vision. The drusen may be in one or both eyes.
What does it mean for me? Some people with drusen never develop any central vision loss at all. While the drusen typically won’t disappear, they might not develop to a point where they cause problems. This is why many doctors recommend prevention strategies, such as vitamin supplementation, that may limit further damage to your macula.
Learn how to protect your visionDrusen can slowly damage the macular cells and start to affect your central vision. But if only one eye is affected and your other eye compensates, you may not notice significant vision changes.
What does it mean for me? You may notice a blurred spot in the center of your vision. Using a stronger light will make reading and other close tasks easier, and you may be able to still drive in the daytime. Still, as your vision changes, you’re likely to feel a sense of loss and fear for your future. Just remember: you may have reached a plateau that can last for years.
Read more about dealing with emotionsIf your AMD progresses to the advanced stage (also known as geographic atrophy, which can happen over many years or more rapidly), your central vision will likely be significantly affected by a blind spot in the center of your visual field.
What does it mean for me? Your central vision is how you’re able to see things in detail, read, write, do close work, use stairs and recognize faces. So, with advanced AMD, daily tasks and activities can become hard to do. It’s a scary thought, but with help, many people learn new ways of doing things by using their peripheral vision (AMD typically only affects your central vision) and trying the many low-vision tools and technologies that are available.
See low vision tools and technologiesAbout 1 in 10 people who have dry AMD go on to develop wet AMD, which can lead to significant vision loss. People with certain types of drusen are more at risk of this form of the condition, even in the early stages of AMD, so ask your doctor. If your risk factor is higher, it’s important to monitor your vision weekly for any changes, because wet macular degeneration typically comes on suddenly and can be treated to limit the damage.
What does it mean for me? In addition to central vision blurring, the wet form of AMD tends to drastically distort what you see in front of you. It may be harder to discriminate between light and dark tones, and colors will appear dull. Vision loss may be serious enough that you’ll need to make many adjustments in how you get by at home and outside—but prompt treatment can decrease risk of vision loss.
Learn about adapting to vision lossPeripheral vision, which is unaffected by AMD, is responsible for 65% of your visual field.
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