Private macular degeneration clinic in London, same-day eye.

The two forms

• Dry AMD — around 90% of cases. Gradual thinning of the macula over years, with deposits called drusen. Central vision blurs slowly. There is currently no treatment in routine UK practice, though it rarely causes complete blindness.
• Wet AMD — abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak. Vision distorts and deteriorates over days to weeks. This is the treatable one, and the treatable window is short.
• Dry AMD can convert to wet at any point, which is why anyone with dry AMD must know the warning signs.

Symptoms

• Blurred or distorted central vision — peripheral vision is unaffected
• Straight lines looking wavy — door frames, window frames, text lines
• difficulty reading, recognising faces, or seeing in low light
• colours appearing less vivid
• a dark or empty patch in the middle of vision
• It does not cause pain or redness, and it does not cause total blindness — peripheral vision remains

Treatment for wet AMD

• Anti-VEGF injections into the eye, which stop the abnormal vessels leaking. They preserve vision in most people and improve it in a proportion.
• The eye is numbed first; the injection itself takes seconds and most people find it far less unpleasant than they expect.
• Treatment starts with monthly injections and then extends to longer intervals. It usually continues for years — stopping allows the vessels to leak again.
• Attending every appointment matters. Missed injections are a leading cause of vision lost despite treatment.

Reducing your risk

Living with it

Low vision services provide magnifiers, lighting advice, screen-reading software and rehabilitation, and are consistently under-used. Registration as sight impaired opens access to support and benefits. The Macular Society runs a free helpline on 0300 3030 111. Peripheral vision is retained, so most people continue to live independently — but you must inform the DVLA if AMD affects your ability to meet the driving standard.