Dry vs. Wet Macular Degeneration: Key Differences

You’ve had trouble reading lately because the print is blurry. You put stronger light bulbs in your lamps to help you see better. It’s time for a visit to an eye specialist. 

You may think your vision is fine, but at your eye exam, your doctor tells you that you have the beginning stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Perhaps your ophthalmologist is using the terms “wet” and “dry” to describe the condition. You want to learn more about macular degeneration and take the steps your doctor tells you to protect your vision. 

Our board-certified ophthalmologists with Wolchok Eye Associates, PA, treat both wet and dry AMD and help you preserve your sight. Following is a rundown of the differences between the two forms of this eye disease. 

Characteristics of dry macular degeneration

Your eye is composed of several parts that work together to enable you to see clearly. Your retina is a ”messenger” in your eye; it sends signals to the brain as light enters your eye. Your macula is the central part of your retina. It enables clear vision as you look straight ahead (your central vision). 

Sometimes, the tissue of the macula begins to deteriorate and becomes thinner. Small waste particles in the retina build up under the retina. The two events cause blurriness in your central vision; you have dry macular degeneration. Almost 9 out of 10 people with macular degeneration have the dry form of the disease. 

The dry form has three stages: early, intermediate, and late, usually developing slowly over several years. The good news about dry AMD is that your Wolchok Eye Associates ophthalmologist can spot it in the early stage before you suffer any vision loss. That’s one important reason to keep your regular eye exam appointments according to the schedule your doctor recommends. 

Treatment for dry AMD

Your doctor prescribes special vitamins and mineral supplements. Scientific research, termed the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies, has shown that the supplements help retard the disease’s progression. Light therapy may also help. 

If your dry AMD has advanced, your Wolchok physician tells you if a telescopic lens implant in one of your eyes is an option to aid your vision.  

Lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking and eating a healthy diet, also support eye health. 

Characteristics of wet macular degeneration

Wet macular degeneration differs markedly from the dry form during the onset period. Wet macular degeneration often occurs suddenly. Some of the vision changes that occur include the following: 

• A street sign or other object you know is straight looks bent or distorted
• Bright sunlight outside hurts your eyes
• Objects straight ahead may seem to move or disappear
• Colors appear faded
• You see dark spots or gaps in your vision 

Call our office if you experience any of these vision changes. We need to see you right away, and we should treat Wet AMD immediately for optimal results. 

If you have wet AMD, blood vessels have expanded into the macula, resulting in abnormal development. The blood vessels begin to leak, scarring your macula and causing vision loss. 

Treatment for wet AMD

If you have wet AMD, your Wolchok Eye Associates doctor administers a series of injections that control the growth of the blood vessels invading your macula. You may also receive laser or photodynamic therapy. 

Always keep your regular eye exams to help ensure clear vision. Call Wolchok Eye Associates, PA, or request an appointment through our online portal today.