Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow behind the macula as RPE and photoreceptor cells die. The Bruch’s membrane begins to break down, usually near drusen deposits, and new blood vessels grow. This growth is called neovascularization. These vessels are very fragile and can leak fluid and blood, resulting in scarring of the macula and the potential for rapid, severe damage. Straight-ahead vision can become distorted or lost entirely in a short period of time, sometimes within days or weeks. Wet macular degeneration accounts for approximately 10 percent of the cases of AMD, but it results in 90 percent of the cases of legal blindness. All wet macular degeneration is considered advanced.

Symptoms of Macular Degeneration

During the early stages of macular degeneration, and if only one eye is affected, there may be no symptoms. Additionally, neither form of macular degeneration (dry or wet) causes pain. However, an ophthalmologist may be able to detect early signs of the disease before symptoms appear. Therefore, it is very important to have regular eye examinations to detect these signs as soon as possible. Often, the dry form of macular degeneration initially causes slightly blurred central vision, both close up and far. The center of vision may become fuzzy or shadowed, and this area grows larger as the disease progresses. Blind spots may develop, and it is normally more difficult to see color and fine detail.

Commonly, in wet macular degeneration, in addition to the above symptoms, straight lines may appear wavy. Also, in this more severe form, central vision loss can occur rapidly, sometimes within days or weeks. For more information check out the American Macular Degeneration Foundation at www.macular.org

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