What are the types of age-related macular degeneration?

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What are the types of age-related macular degeneration?

There are two types of AMD:

  • Dry (atrophic): Up to 90% of people with macular degeneration have the dry form. It develops when tiny yellow protein deposits called drusen form under the macula. The built-up deposits dry and thin the macula. Vision loss with the dry form tends to occur gradually. Most people don’t completely lose central vision. Rarely, the dry form leads to the wet form.
  • Wet (exudative): This condition occurs when abnormal blood vessels develop under the retina and macula. The blood vessels leak blood and fluid (a condition called choroidal neovascularization, or CNV). Because of fluid buildup, a bulge forms in the macula. You may see dark spots in your center of vision. About 15% of people with macular degeneration have the wet form. This type is more severe. It can quickly lead to total loss of central vision.

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