3 Early Signs Of Macular Degeneration

Some eye disorders or conditions might develop with little to no symptoms, which is why it's critical to obtain frequent eye exams. One of the best methods to help preserve your eyesight is to involve your eye doctor throughout your whole eye care journey.

However, in between eye exams, it's critical to keep a watch out for any new symptom development. Early indicators of macular degeneration, for example, include hazy vision, difficulty seeing in low light, and faded-looking colors.

Your eye doctor isn't the only person responsible for your vision. You must be aware of the early warning signs of eye problems.

What is macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration is also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the most common cause of vision loss in elderly people, affecting  11 million people in the United States. The macula suffers damage as we age. This eventually leads to a loss of central vision, making it difficult to do tasks like driving, cooking, or seeing someone's face.

There is no one-size-fits-all explanation for how AMD occurs. Certain risk factors, such as a family history of macular degeneration, going outside without sunglasses, smoking, and health disorders such as diabetes or high blood pressure, all enhance the likelihood of getting AMD.  

It can develop in some people for years without causing symptoms. In other situations, such as wet or late-stage AMD, symptoms appear quickly. Vision loss cannot be regained once it has occurred; hence it is critical to maintain frequent complete eye exams.

Early signs of AMD

1. Blurriness​

Because the haziness appears gradually, you may believe that a new eyeglass prescription, if not a brighter bulb in the overhead lighting, is the solution to the fuzzy print on the page or your computer screen. And it very well could be. However, blurriness is a common symptom of AMD.

2. Straight lines appear wavy

Consider text lines on a page that appear bent or curled. It may be the window shades, bathroom tiles, or bookcases that seem like that. You may have AMD if lines that should be straight aren't.

3. Blank areas in your central vision

According to Andreoli, the early alterations associated with AMD are often little blind spots in your central vision — as opposed to your peripheral vision — that gradually increase and multiply over time. "Eventually, these tiny blind spots start to blend, leading to central vision loss." And, while you may preserve some peripheral vision, reading and recognizing other people's faces is challenging.​

AMD Treatment

There's no cure for AMD, but there are ways to keep it from developing. The American Optometric Association recommends that persons over 60 get annual eye exams. Your doctor will search for drusen, which is yellow deposits of lipids and proteins in the macula. Small drusen are normal with aging.

However, medium-sized or larger ones are a sure marker of AMD. Regular ophthalmologist checkups can diagnose AMD years before people notice anything is wrong. In some cases of AMD, early discovery of abnormalities might lead to treatments that can delay or reverse vision loss. Either way, to get the best macular degeneration treatment consult your ophthalmologist.

In conclusion

Early macular degeneration is typically asymptomatic. If you have any, you may experience trouble seeing in low-light conditions. Seeing an eye doctor is the only method to find out if you have a problem.

Macular degeneration can be diagnosed by your eye doctor using a range of tests and techniques. Although macular degeneration damage cannot be reversed, proper preventive treatment can help delay progression and reduce problems.