Wet vs. Dry Macular Degeneration

When you look at things, your eyes are using many different mechanisms to gather information and provide you with a clear image. For example, your eyes employ central vision to examine things in color and with detail, such as when you read, drive, look at art, or recognize people around you. This is accomplished with your macula, a part of your eye located at the center of your retina and only about 5 millimeters across.

Macular degeneration is an eye disease that damages your central vision and comes in two forms: dry and wet. Without treatment, both will limit your vision over time, but there are key differences in how they affect your eyes. Let’s find out more by looking at some basics about the condition itself, how the dry and wet forms differ, and what can be done about both.

If you live in the Muncie, Indiana, area and you’re dealing with vision loss from macular degeneration or other eye diseases, Dr. Jeffrey Rapkin at Retina Consultants of Muncie is here to help.

Facts about macular degeneration

Also referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), this disease is more common in people 50 and older (it’s the leading cause of vision loss in people 60 or older) and affects over 20 million people in America. It may occur in one or both eyes with different levels of severity. 

In addition to your age, you’re at higher risk for macular degeneration if you:

• Have a family history of the illness
• Smoke
• Have hypertension
• Eat a diet high in saturated fats
• Are white

It’s also possible to develop macular degeneration if you’re younger than 50 due to diabetes, infections, head injuries, and a diet lacking the nutrients to keep your eyes healthy. The loss of central vision leads to:

• Difficulty seeing in low light
• Blurry vision 
• Distortion in the way you see colors 
• Seeing straight lines as curvy or wavy

Another telltale symptom is blank or dark spots in your field of vision.

The differences between wet and dry macular degeneration

Both wet and dry macular degeneration damage your macula, but they develop in different ways:

Wet

This type of macular degeneration results from the formation of abnormal blood vessels under your macula that leak and build up. As it builds, it causes the macula to bulge outward, rapidly affecting central vision.

Dry

This form of macular degeneration results from the accumulation of excess drusen in your macula. Drusen is a tiny protein that’s normally present in your eyes, but increases in volume and dries as you age, leading to vision problems.

Dry AMD is by far the most common form of the illness, and is generally less severe than the wet form, which makes up about 10% of cases. Not everyone that has the dry type will see the problem worsen, but wet AMD will always affect central vision with greater risk of vision loss.

Diagnosis and treatment

Whether you have wet or dry macular degeneration, we’re here to help. Some strategies we use include:  

• Supplements: the drusen that causes vision loss can’t be treated, but vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin zinc, and copper can help slow the progress.
• Watchful waiting: routine visits and screenings can alert us to changes that may require swift action.
• Laser therapy: photodynamic and laser therapy can help treat both types by removing abnormal vessels and preventing drusen buildup.

Losing your central vision can happen over time or pretty quickly depending on what kind of AMD you have, so if you’re dealing with vision problems related to either type, make an appointment with Dr. Rapkin and Retina Consultants of Muncie today to get treated.