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Age related macular degeneration, also known as macular degeneration, is a chronic disease affecting the macula. The macula is a small area in the centre of the retina at the back of the eye responsible for central vision.
Macular degeneration causes central vision loss. Macular degeneration doesn’t cause total blindness because it doesn’t affect your peripheral vision.
There are two types of macular degeneration:
It isn’t known why some people develop macular degeneration while others don’t. However, risk factors that can increase your risk of developing the disease include:
Macular degeneration is a progressive disease. This means it will usually get worse over time. Symptoms can include one or all of the following:
There is currently no treatment available for dry macular degeneration.
However, there are treatment options available for wet macular degeneration to help stabilise vision. These include anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) drugs to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels in the macula. This is delivered in the form of an injection into the eye. Many patients require ongoing treatment to prevent vision loss.
While you cannot control every risk factor, there are practical steps that support retinal health and reduce avoidable risk over time.
If you smoke, quitting is one of the most meaningful steps you can take for your eye health. Supporting vascular health through blood pressure and cholesterol management also helps protect the retina. If you are unsure where to start, your GP can support a plan that suits you.
A balanced diet that includes leafy greens, colourful vegetables, and omega-3 sources can support eye health. The goal is consistency, not perfection, and there are no miracle foods. If supplements are recommended, they should be chosen based on your clinical findings and stage.
UV protection is a simple habit that supports long-term eye health. Sunglasses and a hat outdoors can help, and regular eye checks matter, especially if you have family history or early changes.
AMD care works best when diagnosis is accurate, monitoring is consistent, and symptoms that suggest wet AMD are triaged quickly.
We use structured imaging and follow-up planning to document baseline macular health, track change over time, and guide treatment decisions with clarity.
If symptoms suggest wet AMD, early assessment matters. Fast access to scans and clinical review supports timely treatment decisions.
To book an appointment, you can book through Contact Us, and we will guide you through the next steps. It also helps to bring any previous test results and a medication list, and if you would like to learn more about the clinicians you may see, you can meet our doctors.
Early signs can include distortion where straight lines look wavy, blurred central vision, needing brighter light for reading, and difficulty recognising faces. Some people notice a smudge or patch in central vision.
Dry AMD tends to progress gradually and is linked to drusen and longer-term macular changes. Wet AMD involves abnormal blood vessels that can leak or bleed and can cause faster central vision change, which needs urgent assessment.
Diagnosis involves a comprehensive eye exam and retinal imaging, especially OCT, which shows macular structure and can detect fluid or other changes that guide staging and treatment.
You cannot control age or genetics, but you can reduce risk by not smoking, managing blood pressure and cholesterol, and having regular eye checks, especially if you have family history or early changes.
Supplements may be recommended in certain stages, but they are not for everyone. The right advice depends on your clinical findings and your AMD stage, so it should be clinician-guided.
Some people can drive safely in early stages, but it depends on visual acuity, contrast, and functional vision. Ongoing monitoring helps guide advice, and it is important to be honest about any changes that affect safety.
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