Types of Age-related macular degeneration

Types list: The list of types of Age-related macular degeneration mentioned in various sources includes:

Dry AMD - 90% of cases, one eye at a time.
Wet AMD - only 10% of cases, but more severe, rapid deterioration.

Types discussion: AMD occurs in two forms:

Dry AMD--Ninety percent of all people with AMD have this type. Scientists are still not sure what causes dry AMD. Studies suggest that an area of the retina becomes diseased, leading to the slow breakdown of the light-sensing cells in the macula and a gradual loss of central vision.
Wet AMD--Although only 10 percent of all people with AMD have this type, it accounts for 90 percent of all blindness from the disease. As dry AMD worsens, new blood vessels may begin to grow and cause "wet" AMD. Because these new blood vessels tend to be very fragile, they will often leak blood and fluid under the macula. This causes rapid damage to the macula that can lead to the loss of central vision in a short period of time.

AMD occurs in two forms — a "dry" form and a "wet" form.

Dry AMD. Scientists are uncertain of the causes of "dry" AMD, in which there is a slow breakdown of light-sensing cells in the macula, subsequently reducing central vision. About 90 percent of people with AMD have this type of the disease. Unfortunately, there is as yet no treatment for "dry" AMD. It has been suggested that supplemental vitamins and minerals may slow the progress of the disease. However, more research needs to be conducted into finding ways to prevent, slow, or cure "dry" AMD.
Wet AMD. As "dry" AMD worsens, new, fragile blood vessels grow beneath the macula. These new blood vessels often leak blood and fluid, causing rapid damage to the macula and quickly leading to loss of central vision. Although only 10 percent of those with AMD have this type of the disease, "wet" AMD accounts for 90 percent of all blindness resulting from AMD. Research supported by the NEI was instrumental in the development of laser surgery to treat some cases of the "wet" form of AMD. This treatment, performed in a doctor's office or eye clinic, involves aiming a strong light beam toward the new blood vessels and destroying them, preventing further loss of vision. However, it should be noted that only about 15 percent of patients with the "wet" form of AMD are eligible for laser surgery because the new blood vessels may have advanced too close to the area of the macula on which the visual image is focused. Despite laser treatment, the disease and loss of vision may progress, and once vision is lost, it cannot be restored.

AMD occurs in two forms:

Dry AMD affects about 90 percent of those with the disease. Its cause is unknown. Slowly, the light sensitive cells in the macula break down. With less of the macula working, you may start to lose central vision in the affected eye as the years go by. Dry AMD often occurs in just one eye at first. You may get the disease later in the other eye. Doctors have no way of knowing if or when both eyes may be affected.

Wet AMD--Although only 10 percent of all people with AMD have this type, it accounts for 90 percent of all severe vision loss from the disease. It occurs when new blood vessels behind the retina start to grow toward the macula. Because these new blood vessels tend to be very fragile, they will often leak blood and fluid under the macula. This causes rapid damage to the macula that can lead to the loss of central vision in a short period of time.³

Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Are You at Risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration: NEI
2. excerpt from Age-Related Macular Degeneration Status of Research: NEI
3. excerpt from Facts About Age-Related Macular Degeneration: NEI

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