Age-related Macular Degeneration or (AMD) causes distortion of the central vision and if left untreated, can lead to a black spot in the middle of your vision (central scotoma). AMD is the leading cause of vision loss among older adults, usually over 50. It progresses slowly in some patients and faster in others. Patients with early AMD may not notice any vision loss for a long time.
There are two types of AMD. 85-90% of cases are ‘dry’ and the other cases are the ‘wet’ form. Treatment is prescribed after an optical coherence tomography, or OCT scan of the retina is done to determine which type of AMD you have. If there is ‘fluid’ visible on the scan, more serious treatment is usually needed.
AMD is usually only detected if you test each eye separately. The condition does not cause complete blindness, but losing your central vision can make it harder to perform everyday activities such as reading or driving. If you notice straight lines bending or distortion in the centre of your vision, you should make an appointment with an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.



