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Macular Degeneration Types
Macular Degeneration Types
There are two main types of macular degeneration:
- Dry: Up to 90% of patients with macular degeneration have the dry form. The macula ages and thins, and small pieces of fat and protein called drusen collect under the retina. Dry degeneration can eventually affect both eyes, but it often starts in one, unnoticeable because the other eye compensates. Vision loss is usually gradual, but dry degeneration can also transition to the more dangerous wet form of the condition.
- Wet: Wet macular degeneration represents about 10% of cases. It occurs when new, faulty blood vessels grow under the retina (choroidal neovascularization or CNV). The vessels can leak blood or other fluid, damaging vision. Wet degeneration often causes more severe and rapid harm than the dry form.
CNV is also a complication of severe nearsightedness, called nearsightedness or myopic macular degeneration.