What it is
There are two types. Dry AMD develops slowly over years and has no specific medical treatment. Wet AMD develops quickly when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina; it is treated with regular eye injections, which work best when started early.
Age, smoking and family history raise the risk. Low-vision aids and support services help people make the most of their sight.
Common signs
- Blurred or distorted central vision; straight lines look wavy
- A dark or empty patch in the centre of vision
- Difficulty reading or recognising faces
- Needing more light, colours looking faded
How it is usually diagnosed
- An eye examination with dilating drops
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT), a scan of the retina
- Sometimes fluorescein angiography, with dye injected in a vein
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Eye examination and OCT reports, with visual acuity at each visit
- Dates of each injection and which eye was treated
- Letters from the eye clinic
- Your glasses prescriptions
Questions to ask your doctor
- Is it dry or wet AMD, and in which eye?
- How often will I need check-ups or injections?
- What support and low-vision aids are available?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Sudden change in vision, new distortion or a dark patch: contact an eye service the same day
- A painful red eye after an injection
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.