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Early macular degeneration generally gets worse slowly over five to ten years. Your eyesight will slowly get worse, especially in the middle of your vision. But you're unlikely to go totally blind.

In some people macular degeneration (also called age-related macular degeneration, or AMD) progresses quite slowly. In others it becomes worse much more quickly. But it's hard to say exactly what will happen to you. In one study, less than 1 in 5 people with early AMD progressed to the late and more serious form of the disease over three years.¹

Late AMD stops you from seeing objects in the middle of your vision properly.² But you should still be able to see things around the edge of your vision. Almost everyone with late AMD will still see well enough to get around and look after themselves.

Most treatments are designed to prevent or treat loss of eyesight caused by wet AMD. This is when blood vessels in the back of the eye leak and damage cells in the macula. If you already have wet AMD in one eye, you have about a 50 percent chance of getting it in the other eye eventually.³

There aren't many treatments for people who have just dry AMD.

And there are no treatments that can help you see normally again. But there's lots you can do to help you cope with reduced sight and stay independent. You can use:

• Intensive lighting
• Magnifiers
• Pocket telescopes for reading approaching road signs or bus numbers
• Software for your computer (to read out text, for example)
• Techniques for seeing with the edge of your vision (peripheral vision).

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 2008. All rights reserved.