Macular Degeneration Symptoms: How to Detect Them Early

ByAgkidzone Staff

Updated: Oct 19, 2024

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Macular degeneration is a painless eye condition that gradually affects vision, specifically in the central visual field. This occurs as the macula, a part of the retina, deteriorates. Often linked to aging, it can lead to legal blindness if left untreated. Early symptoms might not be severe enough to prompt medical attention, but catching them early can slow disease progression and prevent rapid vision loss. It's important to stay alert to these common signs of macular degeneration.

Distorted Vision

The most recognizable early symptom of macular degeneration is distorted vision. Straight lines, like window blinds or notebook pages, might start to look wavy or uneven. In the majority of cases (about 90%), this distortion develops slowly, known as dry macular degeneration. However, in around 10% of cases, the distortion appears suddenly and worsens quickly, indicating wet macular degeneration, which requires prompt attention.

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Blurred Vision

Another common symptom is blurred vision. It may feel as if there’s a foggy or glass-like barrier between the eyes and the objects being viewed, making activities like reading, driving, or watching TV challenging. Many older adults mistake this for normal aging, but an eye exam could reveal it as macular degeneration. Early intervention is essential for managing the condition effectively.

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Dark or Empty Spots

Those with macular degeneration often notice dark spots or empty areas in their central vision. These spots can obscure parts of objects or create shadow-like patches, causing discomfort and difficulty in seeing clearly. If untreated, these obstructive patches may become permanent, further impairing vision.

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Trouble Seeing in Dim Light

As macular degeneration advances, seeing in low-light conditions becomes increasingly difficult. The eye’s response to light diminishes, making it hard to adjust to dim environments. If someone frequently requests brighter lighting, even during the day, it might be an early indicator of this condition.

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Difficulty Distinguishing Colors

Macular degeneration can also impact color perception. Differentiating between light shades or dark tones becomes a challenge because the eye’s ability to recognize brightness and color intensity decreases. As a result, everything might appear faded or washed out, making it hard to distinguish between different hues.

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Reduced Contrast Sensitivity

Alongside color perception issues, people with macular degeneration often experience reduced contrast sensitivity. Despite various colors in the environment, the eyes may struggle to detect the differences in shade intensity. As a result, everything appears dull, and colors lose their vividness, making the world seem less vibrant.

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Hazy Vision

In advanced stages of macular degeneration, overall vision may become cloudy or hazy. This haze can make it feel like the person is looking through foggy glass, further obscuring their ability to see their surroundings clearly.

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Loss of Visual Acuity

Over time, individuals with macular degeneration may notice a decrease in visual acuity, especially if the condition is left untreated. Objects in the central vision area might appear slowly or become hard to track, particularly if they move quickly. Interestingly, peripheral vision often remains unaffected, allowing the person to see things clearly on the edges of their visual field.

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Difficulty Perceiving Details

Macular degeneration can also impair the ability to discern finer details and shapes in one’s environment. Recognizing faces, reading expressions, or seeing small details on objects may become difficult. Unfortunately, glasses or contact lenses typically do not help with these issues, as they are related to the retina’s health, not the lens. This symptom, like others, is often mistakenly attributed to normal aging.

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Rapid Symptom Onset

While macular degeneration symptoms typically progress slowly, some individuals experience a rapid onset of symptoms. When this happens, it’s likely the individual has wet macular degeneration, which is more aggressive and requires immediate medical intervention to prevent severe vision loss.

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