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Macular Degeneration Symptoms
What are the symptoms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?
AMD can cause these symptoms:
- Central vision becomes dim, fuzzy, or less sharp. This is the main symptom of macular degeneration.
- Straight lines begin to appear wavy or curved. This is usually the first symptom of wet AMD.
- Objects appear warped, distorted, or smaller than they really are.
- A new blank or blind spot develops in your central field of vision.
- Reading requires more light than it did in the past.
- You find it harder to see people's faces clearly.
- You have a loss of central vision that does not go away or becomes worse over time. The loss may be severe and rapid if you have wet AMD.
The symptoms of wet and dry AMD differ in two important ways:
- How fast the vision changes are
- Dry AMD happens slowly. Vision changes may be so gradual that you don't notice them. You may have it for several years before it affects your ability to read, drive, and do everyday activities.
- Wet AMD happens suddenly. Symptoms tend to appear suddenly and get worse fast.
- How bad the vision changes are
- Dry AMD symptoms are usually mild at first. Later, the symptoms can be more severe.
- Wet AMD tends to cause more severe vision changes and vision loss.
