Dry Macular Degeneration Symptoms

The leading cause of blindness for people over the age of 60 is macular degeneration, when the central portion of the retina (known as the macula) has deteriorated. Macular degeneration does not lead to complete blindness, but it does cause a significant disability in the patient's ability to see.

Dry macular degeneration

Dry macular degeneration is the more common form of this disease. Yellow deposits, known as drusen, form on the macula. If you only have a few tiny drusen, it does not cause a change in your vision. However, the drusen may get bigger and more numerous, which can lead to dimming or distortion in eyesight.

Atrophic dry macular degeneration

If you have the atrophic form of dry macular degeneration, it means that the light-sensitive layer of cells has grown thin. This leads to atrophy, the death of the tissue in the macula. You may experience a blind spot in the very center of your vision, or if the disease has progressed to a more advanced stage, you may lose your central vision completely.

Symptoms of dry macular degeneration

Dry macular degeneration progresses quite slowly, so you may not notice the symptoms all at once. You may find that your eyes take longer than usual to adapt to dimly-lit rooms or that you require very bright light while you read. You may have more difficulty than usual in recognizing people's faces. Printed words may appear blurrier and colors dimmer. You may also notice a blurry blind spot right in the center of your field of vision.

When to see a doctor

If you notice changes in your central vision or your ability to see fine detail or colors has diminished, talk with your eye doctor. There is no treatment available for dry macular degeneration, but your doctor may suggest surgery or a course of high-dose vitamins to help slow the progression of the disease.

If you are over 50 years old and are experiencing changes in your central vision or a reduced ability to see colors or fine details (or any of the other symptoms listed above), make an appointment to talk to your eye doctor right away. Also speak with family members to determine whether your family has a history of the disease.