Wet vs. Dry Macular Degeneration: What Is the Difference?

AMD doesn’t cause total vision loss, but it can severely impair central vision in some people. The exact symptoms and progression depend on the type of AMD you have, as well as other individual health factors.

Dry AMD symptoms

Dry AMD is categorized into three stages:

• Early: This usually causes no symptoms but might be identified during a routine dilated eye exam.
• Intermediate: Some people still have no symptoms, but others may experience central vision blurriness and trouble seeing in low light.
• Late: In dry and wet AMD, late-stage symptoms may include seeing straight lines as wavy or crooked. Your vision may also become significantly less sharp and have some blind spots.

Wet AMD symptoms

Wet AMD can cause you to see straight lines and edges as warped, wavy, or crooked.

You might also notice:

• a blurry area in the middle of your vision
• blind spots in your vision
• difficulty seeing in dim lighting
• colors that are less vivid than they once were

The cause of age-related macular degeneration depends on the type of AMD that you have.

Dry AMD causes

Dry AMD happens gradually. It’s caused by changes that occur underneath the retina in a vital region called the macula, which helps you see clearly.

During dry AMD, clusters made up of lipids (fats) and proteins build up under your macula. These are called drusen. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), large drusen that interfere with central vision are a defining feature of AMD.

This thinning or wearing down of the macula can happen to some people as they age.

Wet AMD causes

Wet AMD happens when irregular blood vessels grow under your eye’s macula. These blood vessels leak fluid into the retina and reduce vision. Over time, scarring within the retina may occur.

Usually, vision loss develops faster in wet AMD than in dry AMD.

According to the National Eye Institute, AMD is very common and affects around 11 million people in the United States.

Researchers are still determining exactly why it develops, but there are a few known risk factors.

These include:

• being over the age of 50
• eating a diet high in saturated fats
• having a family history of AMD
• being a smoker
• having high blood pressure
• having overweight or obesity

An ophthalmologist (eye specialist) can check for AMD during a dilated eye exam. After dilating your eyes, they may feel uncomfortable and be very sensitive to light for several hours.

The eye doctor might recommend additional testing to help confirm an AMD diagnosis. This could include:

• Optical coherence tomography (OCT): OCT uses a special light beam to scan multiple layers of your eye’s tissues. It generates high quality, cross-sectional images.
• Fluorescein angiography: This test uses a special dye alongside retinal photography to help a doctor see both regular and irregular blood vessels in your eye.
• Amsler grid test: An eye doctor might have you look at an image called an Amsler grid to test for blurry or blank spots in your field of vision. If you have AMD, it may cause these lines to appear wavy, warped, and blurred. The Amsler grid can also be used as a daily test for people with AMD.

Learn more about what to expect at a routine eye exam.

It’s also possible to have AMD alongside other eye conditions, such as cataracts or glaucoma. This can cause complete vision loss in some instances. It’s vital to attend regular eye checkups to catch any vision changes.

There are several effective treatments for AMD. The specific type of treatment a doctor may recommend will depend on the type of AMD you have.

Dry AMD treatment

There is no cure for dry AMD and no treatments known to reverse its effects on your vision.

However, the NEI found that a combination of AREDS2-approved vitamin and mineral supplements can help lower the risk of progression toward advanced AMD by around 25%.

Recommended supplements include:

• vitamin C
• vitamin E
• beta carotene
• copper (cupric oxide)
• lutein

Also, eating nutrient-rich foods, like leafy green vegetables and fish, has been shown to help some people with dry AMD. Consider speaking with a doctor to determine the right combination of dietary measures and vitamins to help with your dry AMD.

Learn more about the best foods for eye health.

Wet AMD treatment

Wet AMD treatments can help stop further vision loss and reduce the number of irregular blood vessels in your eyes.

Currently, there are two treatment options for wet AMD:

• Anti-VEGF treatments: Anti-VEGF medications can stop the protein that causes blood vessels to grow and leak in the eye. After a numbing agent is applied, it is injected into the vitreous cavity at the back of your eye. The process usually takes around 10 to 15 minutes and may need to be repeated every few weeks to months.
• Photodynamic therapy (PDT): PDT uses lasers alongside a special light-sensitive medication called verteporfin. The lasers then target and break down blood vessels, causing vision loss. This treatment is generally used alongside anti-VEGF drugs and only for severe cases of wet AMD.

Is wet or dry macular degeneration worse?

Wet macular degeneration is typically seen as worse, despite both wet and dry macular degeneration resulting in visual changes. This is because wet AMD can lead to more severe symptoms such as rapid vision loss.

What percentage of dry macular degeneration becomes wet?

Around 10-15% of those with dry AMD eventually develop wet AMD. Once dry AMD progresses to the late stage, the symptoms are the same as those of wet AMD.

Which progresses faster wet or dry macular degeneration?

Wet macular degeneration can progress faster than dry macular degeneration. This is because it causes blood vessels to grow under the retina, which damages the macula. This results in quicker vision loss.

AMD is a common cause of vision loss in older adults. Dry AMD makes up the majority of cases, progressing slowly and causing permanent vision damage. Wet AMD is rarer and more severe but also more treatable than dry AMD.

Research suggests a combination of nutrient supplements can help slow down dry AMD.

Consider scheduling and attending routine eye exams, especially as you age, is a great way to stay on top of your AMD risk and overall eye health.