Understanding age related macular degeneration seniors is important for seniors and their caregivers. macular degeneration is an eye disorder that slowly destroys sharp, central vision. It changes light and images that enter the eye into nerve signals that are sent to the brain. This makes it difficult to see fine details and read.
The disease is most common in people over age 55, which is why it is often called age-related macular degeneration (ARMD or AMD).
Causes
The retina is at the back of the eye. It is a yellow spot in the center of the retina. A part of the retina called the macula makes vision sharper and more detailed. This change also harms the macula.
There are two types of AMD:
– Dry AMD occurs when the blood vessels under the macula become thin and brittle. It has a high amount of two natural colors (pigments) called lutein and zeaxanthin.
AMD is caused by damage to the blood vessels that supply the macula. Almost all people with macular degeneration start with the dry form. Small yellow deposits, called drusen, form. New abnormal and very fragile blood vessels grow under the macula. – Wet AMD occurs in about 10% of people with macular degeneration. This type of AMD causes most of the vision loss associated with the condition. These vessels leak blood and fluid. The condition is rare before age 55.
Health care providers are not sure what causes AMD. As the disease gets worse, you may have problems with your central vision.
SYMPTOMS OF DRY AMD
The most common symptom of dry AMD is blurred vision. It occurs mostly in people 75 years or older.
Risk factors for AMD are:
– Family history of AMD
– Being White
– Cigarette smoking
– High-fat diet
– Being female
Symptoms
You may not have any symptoms at first. You may have trouble reading print or seeing other details. Objects in the center part of your vision often look distorted and dim, and colors look faded. A blurred spot in the center of vision gradually gets larger and darker.
In the later stages of dry AMD, you may not be able to recognize faces until they are close.
SYMPTOMS OF WET AMD
The most common early symptom of wet AMD is that straight lines look distorted and wavy.
There may be a small dark spot in the center of your vision that gets larger over time.
With both types of AMD, central vision loss can occur quickly. But you can see well enough to walk and do most daily activities.
As dry AMD gets worse, you may need more light to read or do everyday tasks. Drops will be placed into your eyes to widen (dilate) your pupils. If this happens, you will need to be seen right away by an ophthalmologist, preferably a retina specialist.
Exams and Tests
You will have an eye exam. If the straight lines look wavy, it may be a sign of AMD. Your eye doctor will use special lenses to view your retina, blood vessels, and optic nerve.
Your eye doctor will look for specific changes in the macula and blood vessels and for drusen.
You may be asked to cover one eye and look at a pattern of lines called an Amsler grid. If you detect a problem with your vision, seek medical advice from your eye doctor as soon as possible.
Other tests that may be done include:
– Using special dye and camera to look at blood flow in the retina (fluorescein angiogram)
– Taking a photo of the inner lining of the eye (fundus photography)
– Using light waves to view the retina (optical coherence tomography)
– A test that measures the pigment in the macula
📖 Treatment
Treatment
If you have advanced or severe dry AMD, there are no proven treatments that can restore your vision.
If you have early AMD and are not a current or former smoker, a combination of certain vitamins, antioxidants, and zinc may prevent the disease from getting worse. The American Macular Degeneration Foundation has anAmsler gridyou can download along with instructions for how to check your vision at home. The supplements contain:
– 500 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C
– 400 international units (IU) of vitamin E
– 15 mg beta-carotene
– 80 mg of zinc
– 2 mg of copper
Only take this vitamin combination if your eye doctor recommends it. But it cannot give you back vision that is already lost.
The combination is often called the “AREDS” formula. Smokers should not use this supplement.
AREDS may also benefit you if you have a family history and risk factors for AMD.
Lutein and zeaxanthin, which are substances found in green leafy vegetables, may also decrease your risk for age-related macular degeneration.
If you have wet AMD, your eye doctor may recommend:
– Laser surgery (laser photocoagulation) — a small beam of light destroys the leaking, abnormal blood vessels. Make sure your eye doctor knows about any other vitamins or supplements you are taking. – Special medicines that prevent new blood vessels from forming in the eye are injected into the eye (this is an uncomfortable but painless process). – Photodynamic therapy — a light activates a medicine that is injected into your body to destroy leaking blood vessels. – For wet AMD, you likely need frequent, perhaps monthly, follow-up visits.
Low-vision aids(such as special lenses) and therapy can help you use the vision that you have more effectively, and improve your quality of life.
Close follow-up with your eye doctor is essential.
– For dry AMD, visit your eye doctor once a year for a complete eye exam. Early detection leads to earlier treatment and often, a better outcome.
Treatments in development:
Stem cell research is showing promise in restoring some vision in AMD.
Early detection of vision changes is essential because the sooner you are treated, the better your outcome. Similarly, gene therapy may also have a place in the treatment of AMD. But this type of treatment is still years away at this point. This means complete vision loss never occurs. Levodopa, while most commonly used to treat Parkinson disease, may have a advantageous effect on wet AMD.
📖 Support Groups
Support Groups
These resources may provide more information on macular degeneration:
– Macular Degeneration Association –macularhope.org
– National Eye Institute –www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration
📖 Outlook (Prognosis)
Outlook (Prognosis)
AMD does not affect side (peripheral) vision. But most people with AMD can carry out daily tasks without much difficulty.
Monitoring for changes is essential in managing AMD. AMD results in the loss of central vision only.
Mild, dry AMD usually does not cause disabling central vision loss.
Wet AMD often leads to considerable vision loss.
In general, with AMD you may lose the ability to read, drive a car, and recognize faces at a distance. Contact your eye doctor right away if the lines look wavy. Methods using artificial intelligence are being developed to detect changes earlier as well as make the diagnosis.
📖 When to Contact a Medical Professional
When to Contact a Medical Professional
If you have AMD, your eye doctor may recommend that you check your vision every day with an Amsler grid. Age-related macular degeneration: non-neovascular early AMD, intermediate AMD, and geographic atrophy. Also contact your eye doctor if you notice other changes in your vision.
📖 Prevention
Prevention
Although there is no known way to prevent macular degeneration, leading a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of developing AMD:
– Do not smoke
– keep a healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in animal fat
– Exercise regularly
– keep a healthy weight
See your eye doctor regularly for dilated eye exams.
📖 Alternative Names
Alternative Names
Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD); AMD; Geographic atrophy; Vision loss – AMD
📖 Images
– Macular degeneration
– Retina
– Low vision aids
📖 References
Chaikitmongkol V, Bressler SB, Bressler NM. 7th ed. In: Sadda SR, Sarraf D, Freund KB, et al, eds.Ryan’s Retina. Age-related macular degeneration: a review.JAMA. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 66.
Fleckenstein M, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Chakravarthy U. PMID: 38193957pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38193957/.
Jacoba CMP, Kim IK, Roh M. 2024;331(2):147-157. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds.Ophthalmology. Age-related macular degeneration. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 6.24.
Keenan TDL, Agrón E, Keane PA, et al. 6th ed. 2025;132(1):14-29. Oral antioxidant and lutein/zeaxanthin supplements slow geographic atrophy progression to the fovea in age-related macular degeneration.Ophthalmology. Age-related macular degeneration Preferred Practice Pattern.Ophthalmology. PMID: 39025435pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39025435/.
Vemulakonda GA, Bailey ST, Kim SJ, et al. PMID: 39918524pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39918524/.
📖 Review Date 7/24/2025
Updated by: Franklin W. 2025;132(4):P1-P74. Also reviewed by David C. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Editorial team.
📖 Related MedlinePlus Health Topics
– Macular Degeneration Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M.
About the Author: This article was researched and written by the SilverWell Hub editorial team. It was medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Mitchell, MD, Geriatrics.
Sources: This article is adapted from MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine. Additional review by the SilverWell Hub medical review board.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See our full Medical Disclaimer.
Published: July 08, 2026 | Next review: January 2027
