What are Early Warning Signs of Macular Degeneration?

As we age, some body parts stop performing as well as they should. Sometimes, they are affected by the genes we get from our parents. Other times, the changes come because of our lifestyle choices. You can curtail the chances of getting certain conditions if you act early enough. Sometimes, you get shocked into changing when you notice the early warning signs of a condition. 

Macular degeneration is an eye condition with links to aging. However, it may appear because of other causes like lifestyle choices. If you notice the early warning signs, you can make changes to slow down the condition's progression. The condition's exact cause is still unknown, but certain habits and age are linked to its development.

What is Macular Degeneration?

As the name suggests, the condition affects the macula, which is responsible for central vision. There are two forms of the condition, dry and wet, and each has a different cause. Wet macular degeneration is the advanced form.

Dry Macular Degeneration

Dry macular degeneration is the most common form of the condition. About eight out of 10 people with the condition have the dry form. It occurs when clumps or bits of protein and fat called drusen begin to form under the retina. There is no established source of the drusen, but theories include that they are waste products of the retina that the eye cannot eliminate. 

Wet Macular Degeneration

Wet macular degeneration is usually a more severe form of the condition, and it gets worse much more quickly. It occurs when new and abnormal blood vessels form under the retina in the macula. The blood vessels begin leaking blood and fluid into the eye, causing irreparable damage. One theory for forming the blood vessels is that it is the body's attempt to get rid of drusen.

Warning Signs of Macular Degeneration

The warning signs of macular degeneration come in three main stages:

Quiet Signs

Macular degeneration causes gradual loss of vision that most times escapes notice until it is too advanced. As it progresses, the patient will notice their central vision graying or a significant loss of visual ability. The eye doctor may detect the condition if you have a comprehensive eye exam early on. They may notice the growing drusen or color change in the macula.

Early Signs

Among the first signs of macular degeneration is blurry vision in place of previously sharp and clear vision. As the condition advances, images will become distorted, dark, cloudy, spotted, or enlarged. Some other changes in this stage are:
 

• Deteriorating central vision

• Visual distortions

• Need for bright light for near vision

• Printed words seem blurry

• Inability to adjust in dark rooms

• Recognizing faces becomes difficult

• Colors seem less intense and vibrant

Advanced Signs

As the condition progresses, you will be unable to do activities you could normally do. You will be unable to recognize faces, read, or drive. There may be a blurred spot in your central vision that keeps growing over time. With advanced macular degeneration, vision decreases slowly until complete blindness sets in.

For more on the early warning signs of macular degeneration, visit Patterson Optometric Eyecare at our office in Burney, California. Call (530) 335-2233​​​​​​​ to book an appointment today.