02/19/2025
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss among adults. According to the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), 11 million Americans are affected by AMD, which is the progressive breakdown of the macula (the center and most important part of the retina). This is more than the number of people affected by dry eye and glaucoma combined! The ASRS projects the number of people affected by AMD to double by 2050.
There are often no symptoms in the early stages of the disease.
Macular degeneration is a tricky disease because it often does not cause obvious visual impairment in the early stages, which are known as “dry AMD.” If you develop dry AMD, the only clue that something may be wrong is a slight difference in your ability to see small letters or objects.
As the disease progresses into the more severe form, known as “wet AMD,” you may notice portions of your central vision are blurry or even missing. Straight lines may appear warped, wavy or distorted, and colors may look duller than usual.
