What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a retinal condition that affects the macula. The macula is responsible for central vision and detailed tasks such as reading, driving, recognizing faces, and seeing fine detail.

What is the difference between wet and dry macular degeneration?

Dry macular degeneration is more common and usually progresses gradually as the macula ages. Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid or blood, causing more rapid changes in central vision.

Can Macular Degeneration Cause Blindness?

Macular degeneration can cause central vision loss but usually does not affect peripheral vision. Many patients retain side vision even with advanced disease.

How Is Macular Degeneration Diagnosed?

Macular degeneration is diagnosed through a dilated retinal exam and may include optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography to evaluate the macula and detect fluid, leakage, or retinal changes.

How Is Macular Degeneration Treated?

Treatment depends on the type and stage of macular degeneration. Dry AMD may be managed with monitoring, lifestyle modifications, and AREDS2 vitamins when appropriate. Wet AMD is commonly treated with anti-VEGF injections.

Can Macular Degeneration Be Prevented?

There is no guaranteed way to prevent macular degeneration. However, not smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, controlling blood pressure, protecting eyes from ultraviolet light, and having regular eye exams may help support long-term eye health.

What should I expect at a macular degeneration evaluation?

A macular degeneration evaluation may include vision testing, a dilated retinal exam, OCT imaging, and additional testing to assess fluid, leakage, drusen, bleeding, or other macular changes. Your retina specialist will explain the findings and recommend monitoring, treatment, or follow-up care.

What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

<p data-start="1005" data-end="1257">Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a retinal condition that affects the macula. The macula is the part of the retina responsible for central vision and detailed tasks like reading, driving, recognizing faces, and seeing fine detail.</p>

Macular Degeneration Treatment | Retinal Consultants of Arizona

Home Services Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration treatment at Retinal Consultants of Arizona begins with a detailed retinal evaluation to understand whether you have dry or wet age-related macular degeneration and how the condition may be affecting your central vision. Age-related macular degeneration, often called AMD, affects the macula, the part of the retina that helps you read, drive, recognize faces, and see fine detail.

When central vision starts to blur, darken, distort, or fade, daily life can feel less certain. A book may become harder to read. Straight lines may look wavy. Faces may seem less clear. Night driving may feel more stressful than it used to.

Retinal Consultants of Arizona helps patients across Metro Phoenix and Arizona communities, including Mesa, Gilbert, Phoenix, Peoria, North Scottsdale, Prescott, Flagstaff, and nearby areas, understand their diagnosis, monitor changes, and receive timely care when needed. If you notice new distortion, a dark or blank spot, sudden central blurriness, or a rapid change in one eye, do not wait for your next routine visit.

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Image of a fully dilated eye during a comprehensive eye exam.

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What Is Macular Degeneration?

Eye diagram example of the stages of Age-related macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration is a retinal condition that affects the macula. The macula sits near the center of the retina and controls the sharp, detailed vision you use for close work and straight-ahead vision.

When the macula changes, your side vision often remains, but your central vision may become blurry, distorted, shadowed, or less useful for detailed tasks. That is why patients with macular degeneration may still move around a room but struggle to read a label, recognize a face, or see small details.

Age-related macular degeneration is more common as people get older. It can develop slowly, and early AMD may not cause obvious symptoms. This underscores the importance of regular retinal evaluation, especially if you have risk factors or a family history of AMD.

Dry and Wet Macular Degeneration

There are two major forms of age-related macular degeneration: dry AMD and wet AMD.

Dry macular degeneration is more common. It often develops gradually as the macula ages. Many patients with dry AMD have drusen, small deposits beneath the retina. Drusen do not always cause vision loss on their own, but changes in their size, number, or pattern can help your retina specialist understand your risk for progression.

Wet macular degeneration is less common but more urgent. It happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid or blood. This leakage can affect central vision quickly and may cause sudden distortion, blurriness, dark spots, or rapid changes in how clearly you see.

Dry AMD can sometimes progress to wet AMD, which is why monitoring matters. If wet AMD is detected early, treatment may help slow progression, reduce leakage, and preserve more vision.

Illustrations showing the 3 main stages of macular degeneration.

Image example of what the central vision may see with Macular Degeneration.

Macular Degeneration Symptoms

Macular degeneration symptoms can range from subtle to severe. Some patients notice changes only in certain lighting or during detailed tasks. Others experience more noticeable changes in central vision.

Common symptoms may include:

Blurry central vision
Dark, gray, or blank spots in the center of vision
Straight lines looking wavy or bent
Difficulty reading small print
Trouble recognizing faces
Needing brighter light for close tasks
Colors are looking less vivid
Trouble seeing details while driving
New distortion on an Amsler grid

Macular degeneration usually affects central vision more than side vision. Even patients with advanced AMD may retain peripheral vision, although central tasks can become difficult.

If you notice sudden vision distortion, a new dark spot, or a rapid change in central vision, schedule an appointment promptly.

Risk Factors for Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration can affect different people in different ways, but some factors may increase your risk. Age is one of the most important risk factors, especially for patients over 50.

Other risk factors may include:

1

Family history of macular degeneration

2

Smoking history

3

High blood pressure or cardiovascular disease

4

Long-term sun or ultraviolet light exposure

5

Diet and lifestyle factors

6

Certain inherited or genetic risk factors

You cannot control every risk factor, but you can take steps to support retinal health. Not smoking, managing blood pressure, eating a nutrient-rich diet, protecting your eyes from ultraviolet light, and keeping regular eye exams can all support long-term eye health.

How Macular Degeneration Is Diagnosed

A macular degeneration evaluation usually includes a dilated retinal exam. Dilation allows your retina specialist to examine the macula and look for signs of AMD, fluid, bleeding, drusen, or other retinal changes.

Your doctor may recommend imaging tests to better understand the condition.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that produces a detailed cross-sectional image of the retina. It helps your doctor look for fluid, swelling, thinning, or other changes in the macula.

Fluorescein angiography, or FA, uses a vegetable-based dye injected into a vein, usually in the arm or hand. As the dye moves through the retinal blood vessels, special photographs can show leakage or abnormal blood vessel activity. This can help your retina specialist distinguish between dry and wet AMD and guide treatment planning.

These tests help your care team understand the type of AMD you have, its activity level, and whether treatment or closer monitoring is needed.

Macular Degeneration Treatment Options

Macular degeneration treatment depends on the type and stage of AMD. Some patients need monitoring and lifestyle guidance. Others need medication, advanced imaging, home monitoring, or ongoing treatment for wet AMD.

For dry macular degeneration, your doctor may recommend regular monitoring, lifestyle changes, and AREDS2 vitamins, if appropriate for your stage of AMD. Not every patient needs supplements, and the right recommendation depends on your exam findings and overall health. If you smoke or have a history of smoking, talk with your doctor before taking any eye vitamin formulation, because some formulas may not be appropriate.

For wet macular degeneration, treatment often involves eye injections that help reduce leakage from abnormal blood vessels. These medicines are commonly called anti-VEGF injections. They help block growth factors that contribute to the formation of leaking blood vessels in wet AMD.

Many patients feel nervous when they hear the word “injection,” but the eye is numbed before treatment. Your retina team will explain what to expect, how often treatment may be needed, and how imaging helps monitor your response.

The goal of macular degeneration treatment is to protect the vision you have, slow progression when possible, and identify changes early enough to act.

Imagery of preservation AREDS -2 vitamins

Image of an amsler grid. A grid that helps show distortion or vision abnormalities due to retina changes.

Why Early Detection Matters

Macular degeneration often changes over time. Some changes happen gradually, while others can happen quickly. Early detection gives your retina specialist the best chance to identify progression and recommend the right next step.

Daily vision monitoring can help between visits. Many patients use an Amsler grid, a simple grid of straight lines, to check for new waviness, broken lines, missing areas, or dark spots. If the grid suddenly looks different, contact your retina specialist promptly.

Monitoring does not replace office visits, but it can help you notice changes sooner.

What to Expect at Your Visit

A macular degeneration visit usually begins with a conversation about your symptoms, medical history, medications, family history, and any recent changes in your central vision. Your retina care team may ask whether straight lines look wavy, whether reading has become harder, or whether one eye seems different from the other.

Your evaluation may include vision testing, dilation, retinal imaging, and optical coherence tomography (OCT), which help your retina specialist examine the macula closely and detect drusen, thinning, swelling, fluid, or other changes that may affect central vision.

If your doctor needs more information, fluorescein angiography may be recommended to look for leakage or abnormal blood vessel activity. This can help determine whether macular degeneration is dry or wet and whether treatment is needed.

Before you leave, your retina specialist will explain your results, whether your condition requires monitoring or treatment, and how soon you should return. If wet macular degeneration is suspected or confirmed, your doctor may discuss anti-VEGF injections and explain what the treatment aims to achieve. If dry macular degeneration is present, your care plan may include monitoring, lifestyle guidance, AREDS2 vitamins when appropriate, and instructions for watching your vision between visits.

Image of an older man realizing he has vision changes.

Photo of the exterior of one of our buildings.

Research and Advanced Retina Care

Macular degeneration research continues to evolve. Retinal Consultants of Arizona remains committed to advanced retinal care, diagnostic technology, and research that may help improve future treatment options for patients with AMD.

Clinical research can play an important role in retina care. Depending on your diagnosis, disease stage, and treatment history, your doctor may discuss whether a clinical research trial is an option.

Not every patient is a candidate for research participation, but asking about available studies can be worthwhile if you have AMD and want to understand all appropriate care pathways.

When to Request an Appointment

You should request an appointment if you have been diagnosed with macular degeneration, have a family history of AMD, or notice new changes in central vision.

Contact Retinal Consultants of Arizona promptly if you notice:

New wavy or distorted lines
A new dark or blank spot in central vision
Sudden blurry central vision
A rapid change in one eye
Trouble reading or recognizing faces
New changes on an Amsler grid
Symptoms that feel different from your usual vision

A retina specialist can evaluate your symptoms, identify whether AMD is dry or wet, and recommend the next step.

Image example of a patient having a dilated eye exam with Retinal Consultants of Arizona.

FAQs Macular Degeneration

Early macular degeneration may not cause obvious symptoms. As it progresses, patients may notice blurry central vision, dark or blank spots, distorted lines, difficulty reading, trouble recognizing faces, or wavy vision on an Amsler grid.

Dry macular degeneration is more common and usually progresses gradually as the macula ages. Wet macular degeneration happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid or blood. Wet macular degeneration can cause more rapid changes in central vision and requires prompt evaluation.

Macular degeneration can cause central vision loss, but it usually does not affect peripheral, or side, vision. Even patients with advanced macular degeneration often keep side vision, though central tasks like reading, driving, and recognizing faces may become difficult.

Macular degeneration is diagnosed through a dilated retinal exam and may include imaging tests such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) or fluorescein angiography. These tests help your retina specialist evaluate the macula, look for fluid or leakage, and determine whether the condition is dry or wet.

Treatment depends on the type and stage of macular degeneration. Some patients with dry macular degeneration may benefit from monitoring, lifestyle changes, and AREDS2 vitamins if recommended by their doctor. Wet macular degeneration is often treated with eye injections that help reduce leaking from abnormal blood vessels.

There is no guaranteed way to prevent macular degeneration. However, you may reduce your risk or support eye health by not smoking, eating a healthy diet, managing your blood pressure, protecting your eyes from ultraviolet light, and having regular eye exams, especially if you have a family history of AMD.

A macular degeneration evaluation may include vision testing, a dilated retinal exam, OCT imaging, and additional testing if your retina specialist needs to check for fluid, leakage, drusen, bleeding, or other macular changes. Your doctor will explain whether your macular degeneration appears dry or wet and recommend monitoring, treatment, or follow-up care based on your results.

Hear what patients are saying

I’ve been a patient at Retinal Consultants for almost 3 years and get the best care regarding Macular Degenerative Disease. It’s a progressive disease but is under control due to the professional service provided.

Sue B.

The staff and surgical team, anesthesiologist, nurses and others were very friendly and courteous. Thank you for a job well done.

Kat H.

The recent visit was punctual and professional. The doctor listened to my concerns. I would definitely recommend Retinal Consultants.

Daniel G.

Conditions We Treat

Our ophthalmologists are experienced in diagnosing and treating many retinal conditions.

All Conditions

Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic Retinopathy

Flashes

Floaters

Low Vision (Referral Only)

Macular Degeneration

Macular Hole

Macular Pucker

Posterior Vitreous Detachment

Retinal Artery Occlusion

Retinal Detachment

Retinal Tears

Retinal Vein Occlusions

Uveitis

Request an Appointment for Macular Degeneration Treatment

Macular degeneration treatment can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate the diagnosis alone. Retinal Consultants of Arizona provides advanced retinal evaluation, imaging, monitoring, and treatment planning for patients with dry and wet AMD. Request an appointment or call (602) 222-2221 to schedule care with a retina specialist and take the next step toward protecting your central vision.

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