Not everyone experiences the same symptoms ofmacular degeneration.
Some people experience less severe symptoms and slower vision loss compared to others.
Most symptoms do not cause any pain.
Verywell / Dennis Madamba
Your healthcare provider may detect the presence of macular degeneration before you develop noticeable symptoms of the disease.
In its early stages, yourhealthcare provider may detect drusenor waste deposits on the surface of your retina.
Sometimes a color change may occur within the macula.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Early Symptoms
At first, images that usually appear clear and sharp often become blurred.
Symptoms may include a blurred spot in the center of your vision.
The blurred spot may continue to get bigger and darker.
Detailed tasks such as reading and writing will become more difficult.
In cases of advanced macular degeneration, vision can gradually reduce over time and permanent blindness may occur.
These examinations can be performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
In addition, smoking and having cardiovascular disease increase your risk for developing the disease.
If you have either of these risks, verify to put an eye exam on your schedule every year.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Cover one eye and check the other eye and then alternate.
If you check often, it will be easier to notice subtle changes.
Macular degeneration almost always affects both eyes, but it can be much worse in one eye.
It is caused when blood vessels in theretinaleak blood and fluid into themacula.
Macular degeneration tends to progress slowly.
The speed of progression may be faster if both eyes are affected and thearea of involvementis large.
In such cases, the risk of vision loss within five years is 26%.
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Cheung LK, Eaton A.Age-related macular degeneration.Pharmacotherapy.
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In:Webvision: The Organization of the Retina and Visual System [Internet].
