Age-related macular degeneration damages the macula, the part of the retina used for central and detailed vision. The dry form progresses slowly, while the wet form grows leaky new vessels and can cause fast vision loss.
Key symptoms
- Blurred or dark spot in the center of vision
- Straight lines look wavy or bent
- Trouble reading or recognizing faces
- Side vision stays normal
What you find on exam
- Visual acuity in each eye
- Amsler grid to detect distortion
- Dilated fundus exam: yellow deposits (drusen) and pigment changes
- Bleeding or fluid at the macula in the wet form
Tests
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) to see fluid in the retina
- Fluorescein angiography to confirm new vessels
- Referral to ophthalmology
Treatment basics
- Wet form: anti-VEGF injections into the eye such as aflibercept or ranibizumab
- Dry form: AREDS2 vitamins for intermediate disease
- Stop smoking and eat leafy greens
- Low vision aids and home Amsler grid checks
Red flags
- New distortion or sudden central vision loss
- Fast decline in reading vision
- Pain or redness after an eye injection (possible endophthalmitis)
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Sources: NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint; NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations. Written by Making Synapses. Making Synapses is not affiliated with these organizations.