Learn about Macular degeneration symptoms from Consumer Reports Health.

Macular degeneration

What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?

You won't notice when macular degeneration starts. But after a few years, objects in the middle of your vision will look blurred and distorted. You'll probably notice problems with reading first.

You may notice:

Source:
Chopdar A, Chakravarthy U, Verma D.
Age related macular degeneration.
BMJ. 2003; 326: 485-488.

Blurry areas on a printed page of text
Straight lines seem wavy or bent
Things seem distorted when you look directly at them.

These problems make it harder to:

Source:
Gottlieb J L.
Age related macular degeneration.
Journal of the American Medical Association. 2002; 288: 2233-2236.

Read
Drive
Make out different colors
Recognize people's faces
Do fine handiwork such as embroidery or sewing.

Eventually after many years, a dark area or even a black hole can appear in the middle of your vision. You may not be able to see things that are right in front of you.

AMD does not hurt.

Sources for the information on this page:

Chopdar A, Chakravarthy U, Verma D.Age related macular degeneration.BMJ. 2003; 326: 485-488.

Gottlieb J L.Age related macular degeneration.Journal of the American Medical Association. 2002; 288: 2233-2236.

This information was last updated on Mar 05, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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