AMD Symptoms

Knowing and recognizing AMD symptoms will help with early diagnosis and allow you to receive the best possible treatments and prognosis.

It is important to note that those in the early stages of AMD are often asymptomatic, so it is vital that you have your eyes examined regularly by a professional who will recognize the development of drusens or other abnormalities that may indicate the presence of disease.

Common Age-Related Macular Degeneration Symptoms ( AMD Symptoms ) are:

1. Lack of Pain. Many people associate disease with some type of pain or discomfort; however, since AMD is typically painless, it is important that you do not ignore any unusual symptoms as they may be early indicators of a more serious problem.
2. Blurred Vision. AMD primarily affects your central vision, or your “straight ahead” vision, and your ability to see objects clearly. One of the first obvious symptoms of disease onset, particularly Dry AMD, is the clouding or blurring of your central vision, especially in dimmer lighting.

   This blurring will also make it difficult to see fine details sharply and you may find it necessary to increase lighting when reading, writing, or sewing. You may also find that your eyes have difficulty adjusting to lighting changes, such as moving from a brightly lit area to a darker room.

3. Color Perception Problems. There may be a decrease in the intensity of colors and you may notice that they appear less vivid and even faded or washed out. You may also experience some form of color blindness with difficulty discerning between certain colors.
4. Difficulty Recognizing Faces. Blurred vision, blind spots, or an inability to see details clearly may make it hard for you to recognize faces until you are very close to them.
5. Visual Distortion. The most common visual disruptions are referred to as metamorphopsia which causes straight lines, such as telephone poles, street signs, or sentences in a book, to appear curved or wavy. You may also have difficulty with size and distance perception, making objects seem smaller or farther away. Visual distortion, particularly the wavy lines, is one of the early manifestations of Wet AMD.
6. Scotoma. This is a dark area or blind spot in the center of your visual field.
7. Hallucinations. AMD may cause a disruption in the connection between your brain and the photoreceptors in the eye. In this case, your brain may receive incorrect messages, causing you to see unusual patterns, figures, or even non-existent objects such as animals or faces.

In cases of Dry AMD, symptoms generally progress quite slowly, and proper treatment may help with vision preservation. Wet AMD is advanced, with the loss of vision acuity being quite severe and rapid.

If you experience any of the above AMD symptoms, contact your eye care professional immediately. And, remember that the best treatment is early detection so be sure to have your eyes examined regularly.