Dry macular degeneration is the most common type of age-related Macular degeneration or AMD. It is the frequent cause of vision loss in people over 50 years old and it occurs in different forms:
a. Atrophic AMD
- This is caused by the thinning of the retina, leading to the loss of the central vision. It often follows a very slow progression and affects just the macular area of the eye. Patients suffering from atrophic AMD will have good use of their peripheral vision, but only that. But if this is left untreated and if it follows a very rapid degeneration, this type of degeneration can develop into wet Macular degeneration.
b. Drusen AMD
- These three types can occur due to the build up of tiny white spots in the retina. This build-up hampers the function of certain chemicals in the eye and so affects vision.
1. Drusen
2. Soft Drusen
3. Diagram Drusen
c. Geographic Macular Degeneration
- This type involves the accumulation of material in several areas around the retina. This type is more dangerous because it has the potential to increase in size.
- It should also be noted that smoking can exacerbate any existing condition.
d. Fovemacular Dystrophy
- Compared to the other types, this causes very little damage to the center of the retina. It is characterized by grayish-yellow oval or round lesions developing on the macula of the eye and often affects people between the ages of 30 to 50 years.
e. Choroidal Sclerosis
- This type is caused by the thinning of an area of the retina and usually affects both eyes. It is characterized by the overgrowth of choroidal blood vessels behind the retina.
f. Mixed/Retinal Pigment Epithelial Hypertrophy
- This type is the result of a collection of harmful conditions in the eye. It may be drusen and pigmentation, as well as the thickening or thinning of the retina.
As you get older, the retina of your eye eventually undergoes a lot of changes and some of these may develop into dry Macular degeneration. Since the body processes gradually run slower as you age, the intake of nutrients become more excessive compared to the release of waste products and this accumulation can lead to AMD. Take note of these changes and visit your eye doctor should any changes occur.
