Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

What's going on?

Age-related wear and tear is affecting the most important portion of the retina at the back of the eye, the macula. Central vision is affected very gradually over years, with progressive blurring and difficulty with small print. Near vision is generally affected more than distance vision, especially in the early stages.

What will my ophthalmologist see?

Using our slit lamp or hand-held ophthalmoscope we will see drusen (calcium deposits), pigment changes or worn away patches in the macula.

What will my ophthalmologist do for me?

After a thorough examination we will be in a position to counsel you with regards the severity of the damage and the future implications for your vision. We will also provide you with an information leaflet which you can read at your leisure once the dilating drops have worn off.

If you have regular follow-up appointments we will check your macula regularly to try and detect any further changes. Very rarely we can pick up the early development of the wet variety of the wear and tear. You may also develop a cataract which can sometimes be dealt with to sharpen up your vision.

What can I do?

We may give you an Amsler chart with which to check your vision regularly. You can see one right now by clicking here. Look at the black dot in the middle ONE EYE AT A TIME. While you are looking at the black dot concentrate on the surrounding lines – they should be nice and straight. If any are missing or wobbly and this is a new thing then you need to seek attention – the worry is that you could be developing the wet variant of this disorder. Either contact your ophthalmologist or see your optometrist ASAP.

There is evidence to suggest that a special concoction of multivitamins and anti-oxidants may help – your ophthalmologist can advise you.

What do I need to know?

Dry AMD is a risk factor for wet AMD. Watch out for the onset of distortion (see above).

You will never go blind (which is great news), but your central vision will be affected to a variable extent. This condition progresses very slowly but the concern is you may convert to wet AMD which is worse. If the wear and tear progresses, vision can be markedly reduced, even in the absence of wet changes.