About Macular Degeneration

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and SYMPTOMS

  • Drusen

  • Pigmentary alterations

  • Exudative changes: hemorrhages in the eye, hard exudates, subretinal/sub-RPE/intraretinal fluid

  • Atrophy: incipient and geographic

  • Visual acuity drastically decreasing (two levels or more) ex: 20/20 to 20/80.

  • Preferential hyperacuity perimetry changes (for wet AMD) [7][8]

  • Blurred vision: Those with nonexudative macular degeneration may be asymptomatic or notice a gradual loss of central vision, whereas those with exudative macular degeneration often notice a rapid onset of vision loss.

  • Central scotomas (shadows or missing areas of vision)

  • Distorted vision (i.e., metamorphopsia) - A grid of straight lines appears wavy and parts of the grid may appear blank. Patients often first notice this when looking at mini-blinds in their home.

  • Trouble discerning colors; specifically dark ones from dark ones and light ones from light ones.

  • Slow recovery of visual function after exposure to bright light

  • A loss in contrast sensitivity.