There are two types of advanced macular degeneration: geographic atrophy and the wet form. The early form of dry macular degeneration can convert to either of these two types. Patients who have the advanced form in one eye have a high risk for developing the advanced form in the other eye.

All wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is considered advanced; however, the dry form of AMD has three stages: Early Dry AMD - patients have several small drusen or a few medium-sized drusen. There is no vision loss or symptoms at this stage. Intermediate Dry AMD - patients have many medium-sized drusen or one or more large drusen. Some people may need more light for tasks such as reading. A blurry spot may appear in the center of the visual field.

Wet macular degeneration is diagnosed when either blood or fluid is present. They originate from a new blood vessel that grows at the back of the eye, which is fragile and can bleed. Researchers do not know exactly why new blood vessels arise. The bleeding, the fluid or the vessels themselves can block light rays from reaching the back of the eye or they can interfere with photoreceptor or RPE function.

There are two forms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD): dry and wet. It is possible for a person to suffer from both forms and AMD can affect one or both eyes. The rate at which the disease progresses varies greatly. Dry AMD may advance and cause loss of vision without turning into the wet form of the disease. However, it is also possible for early-stage dry AMD to suddenly change into the wet form of the disease.

About 85 - 90% of ARMD cases are the dry, or atrophic, form, in which yellowish spots of fatty deposits called drusen appear on the macula. The rest of ARMD cases are the wet form, so called because of leakage into the retina from newly forming blood vessels in the choroid, a part of the eye behind the retina. Normally, blood vessels in the choroid bring nutrients to, and carry waste products away from, the retina.

Macular degeneration is a disease of the deeper retinal layers, affecting the photoreceptors, the RPE cells, Bruch's membrane and the choroid. The dry form occurs when the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down, gradually blurring central vision in the affected eye. As it gets worse, you may see a blurred spot in the center of your vision. As less of the macula functions, you gradually lose central vision in the affected eye.

If you have new distortion, central haziness or blurring you may have wet macular degeneration. If your doctor advises treatment with either laser or PDT, do not wait, because you may lose further vision. After laser surgery or PDT, you will likely need frequent eye examinations to detect any recurrence of leaking blood vessels. In addition, check your vision at home with the Amsler grid. If you detect any changes in this grid, schedule an eye examination immediately.

Many other treatments have been used to treat wet macular degeneration in the past. They include submacular surgery (an incision is made in the retina and the new blood vessel is surgically removed), interferon treatment and low-dose radiation. These treatments either have proven to be of little benefit in large clinical trials or have not been generally accepted by the vast majority of retinal specialists.

If you have early macular degeneration, you likely do not need treatment, as the risk of progressing to the more advanced type is minimal. You should, however, periodically check for any changes on an Amsler grid. If changes are noted, seek medical attention right away. If you have intermediate macular degeneration, your doctor will likely put you on high doses of vitamins.

Early stage. People with early macular degeneration have either several small drusen or a few medium-sized drusen. At this stage, there are generally no symptoms and no vision loss. Intermediate stage. People with intermediate macular degeneration have either many medium-sized drusen or one or more large drusen. Some people see a blurred spot or central haziness in the center of their vision. Advanced stage.

If you have dry macular degeneration, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. Your eye-care professional can monitor your condition and check for other eye diseases. If he or she tells you that you have the intermediate stage of dry macular degeneration in one or both eyes or advanced macular degeneration in one eye only, AREDS-strength vitamins will likely be prescribed.

Many devices are available that may be of benefit to you. These can include something as simple as a hand-held magnifier or better lighting; more complex devices such as computer software to help on the Internet are also available. If you have lost some sight from macular degeneration, ask your eye-care professional about low-vision services and devices that may help you make the most of your remaining vision.

New, experimental laser therapy called transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) slowly delivers heat to abnormal retinal blood vessels and eradicates them - hopefully, without damaging the surrounding tissues. TTT is being studied in patients who have been the hardest to treat because of difficult-to-see blood vessels.

Well, there are a few things that you can do. First, you can cut out antacids; they have been shown to decrease digestion. Then you can try to add a regimen of vitamins including 500mg DHA and Able Eyes. For more information of AMD please check out the AMD portion of my website or chapter 8 of my book, The Eye Care Revolution (Kensington 1999). A good way to protect yourself from many anomalies is to regularly wear sunglasses even on cloudy days.

Most patients who have wet macular degeneration had the dry form first. The presence of dry macular degeneration predicts the likelihood of progressing to either geographic atrophy or wet macular degeneration. The risk of progression can be as low as 1% and as high as 50% over a five-year period. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell if or when the dry form will turn into the wet form.

Dry Macular Degeneration is the less severe type of Macular Degeneration. In Dry Macular Degeneration the central retina has become distorted, pigmented, or most commonly thinned. The "wet" form of macular degeneration is a worse disease. Patients with wet macular degeneration can develop abnormal blood vessels under their retina which can leak and bleed into the macula.

Yes. Both the wet form and the advanced dry form are considered advanced AMD. Vision loss occurs with either form. In most cases, only advanced AMD can cause vision loss. People who have advanced AMD in one eye are at especially high risk of developing advanced AMD in the other eye.

Wet AMD is common in individuals over sixty years old, but can also occur in people as young as forty-years old. Macular degeneration is also the most common cause of vision loss in people over 65. Scientists believe that hereditary may also contribute to wet macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration is a painless disease of the macula that causes blurring, distortion or loss of central vision. It is caused by wear and tear on the small cells in the macula. It can interfere with many activities in life, including reading, sewing, driving and watching television. Patients with this condition are at risk of becoming socially isolated and depressed and are at much higher risk for falls.

Broadly speaking, there are two types of macular regeneration: dry and wet. The dry type is much more common, accounting for over 80% of cases. The wet type is more frequently associated with vision loss, distortion and blindness. There are ways to prevent progression of the disease, no matter which type you have.

Age. Increasing age is a risk factor, as most patients with macular degeneration are over the age of 50. A large study conducted in Wisconsin revealed that nearly 30% of those over 75 years of age had some evidence of this condition. Smoking. Active smokers are at much higher risk for developing this condition. Pooled results from three major studies have estimated that active smokers are three times more likely to develop macular degeneration than those who have never smoked. Obesity.

Yes. Some people with the "wet" form of ARMD have benefited from this treatment, and we are currently treating both the wet and dry forms of macular degeneration. The damage caused to the retina by the exudates and bleeding can be so severe that the retina is permanently damaged, and if you have had laser procedures, there will be areas of permanent scarring in your retina.

The moment abnormal new blood vessels grow under the retina the diagnosis changes to wet macular degeneration. These abnormal vessels typically leak fluid and blood under the retina disturbing macular or central visual function as described above.

Photodynamic therapy with Visudyne. Visudyne therapy, a form of photodynamic therapy, brings together a light-activated drug (Visudyne) and the use of a non-thermal ("cold") laser. The laser activates the drug in a targeted area of the eye, producing a reaction that destroys abnormal, leaky blood vessels. Patients diagnosed with a certain form of wet AMD may be candidates for Visudyne therapy, an FDA-approved form of photodynamic therapy for the eyes. Other treatment options.

When polled, most people rate going blind as one of their greatest fears. The good news is that those with macular degeneration do not go blind in the sense of being "black-blind" (the loss of the ability to see anything, including light). Macular degeneration can, however, cause "legal" blindness.

Up to 20% of patients with macular degeneration develop visual hallucinations − a phenomenon called "Charles Bonnet Syndrome." The hallucinations are well formed and commonly look like objects, animals or people who are not there. The hallmark of Charles Bonnet syndrome is that patients know the hallucinations are not real. While no one knows for sure why these phenomena occur, they are thought to arise from excessive nerve firing in response to loss of sensory input.

Eat a healthy diet, don't smoke, keep your blood pressure under good control and maintain an ideal body weight. If you are over the age of 55, you should also have a dilated eye examination to determine whether you have macular degeneration or any other age-related eye condition.

Fatty deposits called drusen may develop under the macula. Medium or large drusen in the macula are diagnostic of dry macular degeneration.

In 2001, the National Eye Institute-funded Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) showed that high levels of certain antioxidants and zinc can help prevent vision loss in people at high risk of developing advanced AMD. Today there are a number of vitamin supplements on the market specially formulated to promote eye health and help prevent vision loss due to AMD and other diseases.