What Really is Dry Macular Degeneration?

If you are over age 50 and are experiencing vision problems, you may very well have Dry Macular Degeneration, which is the most common type of macular degeneration (AMRD).  There are several types of dry macular degeneration including atrophic ARMD, drusen, soft drusen, diagram drusen, geographic, fovemacular dystrophy, Choroidal Sclerosis, and mixed/retinal pigment epithelial hypertrophy.   

Atrophic dry macular degeneration occurs when the retina becomes thin, causing central vision to become blurry and hazy.   This thinning is a gradual process and only affects the macular area of the eye.  An individual with Atrophic dry macular degeneration continues to have good side (peripheral) vision.  Over a period of years however, dry ARMD may cause additional damage to the central retina.  If damage is rapid, the patient may be developing wet macular degeneration. 

Drusen, soft drusen and diagram drusen occur when accumulations of material build up in the retina.  Chemicals to the retina are then inhibited by this build up.  These accumulations resemble small white spots on the retina.

Geographic macular degeneration occurs when several areas form in various parts of the retina.  As these areas increase in size, more damage is done to the retina.  Smoking increases the risk of developing this macular disease. 

Fovemacular Dystrophy occurs when there is very small damage done to the central area of the retina.  This condition is associated with grayish-yellow round or oval shaped lesions in the macular area of the eye.  This disease is most common in individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 and is often genetic in nature. 

Choroidal Sclerosis is a result of a large white-looking thinned area in the retina.  Most often both eyes are affected and no treatment has yet been discovered for this condition.  An examination of the eye shows thick choroidal blood vessels underneath the thinned area. 

Mixed/retinal pigment epithelial hypertrophy results when there are several conditions happening in the macular area.  These conditions include thinning or thickening of the retina, drusen and pigmentation. 

As you age, you are apt to experience some type of changes in the retina of your eye and develop some form of dry macular degeneration.  Nutrients enter the retina slowly and waste products are extracted less easily from the retina.  You are likely to develop a thinning retina and your sight will probably be reduced.  Deposits of waste products are likely to develop and you may experience pigmentation changes to the retina.  Being watchful for any changes in your vision is important at any age and should be reported to your health care provider as soon as you notice them.