What Is Macular Degeneration?

In early dry macular degeneration, cells in the macula begin to sicken, and parts of the central vision become blurry. This may be difficult to notice at first, especially if the other eye is healthy, which can often hide the problems of the sick eye. Some people may find they need more light to read, but otherwise, they may not notice problems with their vision.

As dry macular degeneration slowly progresses, the blurring worsens, and the blurred area increases in size. Blind spots (called scotomas) may develop. The person may begin to have trouble telling the difference between similar colors, or shades of the same color.

In the very late stage of dry macular degeneration, or geographic atrophy, macula cells begin to die, and large portions of the center of vision may become blurred. People at this stage may have blind spots and areas that appear wavy or distorted. Not all dry macular degeneration will progress to wet macular degeneration, but when it does, it often progresses much more quickly than the dry form.

For some people with dry macular degeneration, new blood vessels grow under the retina, forming “wet” macular degeneration. In the early stages, these vessels may cause the retina to bulge or pucker. This results in distortion or “twisting” of vision. Think of how curved mirrors change the images they reflect. A bent or puckered macula also changes the way light hits the retina. When this happens, things that should appear straight start to bend or appear wavy.

In late wet macular degeneration, blood vessels push through the macula, causing some to break, and leave scar tissue. The areas around the leak may break down resulting in severe blind spots and even more waviness or distortion. Wet macular degeneration worsens much more quickly than dry macular degeneration.