Age-related Macular Degeneration

May 8, 2026 | With the youngest of the baby boomers turning 65 by 2029, the number of people with visual impairment or blindness in the United States is expected to double to more than 8 million by 2050, according to National Eye Institute projections. Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is an eye disease that can blur your central vision. It happens when aging causes damage to the macula, the part of the eye responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision. The macula is part of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. AMD doesn’t cause complete blindness, but losing your central vision can make it harder to see faces, read, drive, or do close-up work like cooking or fixing things around the house. AMD happens very slowly in some people and faster in others. If you have early AMD, you may not notice vision loss for a long time. That’s why it’s important to get regular eye exams to find out if you have AMD.

May 8, 2026 | There are two types of age-related macular degeneration, dry and wet. About 80 percent of people with AMD, have dry AMD. This is when yellow deposits accumulate in the macula, and the macula thins with age. Dry AMD happens in three stages, early, intermediate, and late atrophic. It usually progresses slowly over several years. There’s no treatment to reverse late dry AMD, but you can find ways to make the most of your remaining vision. And if you have late dry AMD in only one eye, you can take steps to protect your other eye. Wet AMD, also called advanced neovascular AMD, is a less common but much more serious type of AMD that usually causes faster vision loss. Any stage of dry AMD can turn into wet AMD, but wet AMD is always a late stage. The good news is that treatment options are available and effective for wet AMD. There are also new treatment options that can slow the progression of dry AMD.

May 8, 2026 | The symptoms of age-related macular degeneration depend on the stage of the eye disease. Dry AMD happens in three stages, early, intermediate, and late. AMD is a progressive disease, meaning the symptoms usually get worse over time. Early dry AMD doesn’t cause any symptoms. In intermediate dry AMD, some people still have no symptoms. Others may notice mild symptoms, like mild blurriness in their central vision or trouble seeing in low lighting. In late AMD, either the wet or dry type, many people notice that straight lines start to look wavy or crooked. You may also notice a blurry area near the center of your vision. Over time, this blurry area may get bigger, or you may see blank spots. Colors may also seem less bright than before, and you may have more trouble seeing in low lighting. Straight lines looking wavy is a warning sign for late AMD. If you notice this symptom, you should see your eye doctor right away.

May 8, 2026 | Treatment for age-related macular degeneration depends on the stage and type of eye disease you have. Dr. Sami Uwaydat, an ophthalmologist at the UAMS Jones Eye Institute, says there’s currently no treatment for early AMD, so your eye doctor will probably just keep track of how your eyes are doing with regular eye exams. Eating healthy, getting regular exercise, and quitting smoking can also help. Dr. Uwaydat says there are also emerging treatments to help slow the progression of dry AMD.  To help treat wet AMD, there is a class of medications called anti-VEGF drugs. Anti-VEGF treatment helps reduce leaking abnormal blood vessels in your retina. This medicine is delivered to your eye using a very thin needle. The procedure is painless, done in the office, and you can continue your regular activities afterward. The treatment must be repeated every two to four months to maintain the benefits.

May 8, 2026 | If you have AMD, you can learn how to make the most of your vision. Often you can still do many of your favorite things with special tools like magnifying devices and handheld computers. Also, you can learn how to use your side vision to help you do things. A vision rehabilitation specialist can teach you how this works. They also can help you find many low vision support services and tools. Certain lifestyle habits support eye health, including not smoking, eating a diet rich in leafy greens and fish and protecting your eyes from UV light. For people with intermediate AMD, specific vitamin formulations known as AREDS2 vitamins may help slow progression. Talk with your ophthalmologist to determine whether this supplement is appropriate for you. You can also ask your ophthalmologist to help you find a vision rehabilitation specialist in your area. The goal is to learn how to be as independent as possible.