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Dry age-related macular degeneration commonly causes blurred vision. People with this disease have difficulty seeing the details of something right in front of them, such as a book or a person's face. Bright light may help make the details clearer, but eventually some people will notice a small blind spot in the middle of their field of vision.
In wet age-related macular degeneration, people may first notice that straight lines appear crooked. As with the dry form of the disease, a small but growing blind spot may appear in the center of their field of vision.
If you notice changes in the center of your field of vision, you should consult your eye care professional immediately. Only an eye care professional can formally diagnose age-related macular degeneration. To make the diagnosis, the eye care professional will use eye drops to enlarge (dilate) your pupils. This allows the doctor to view the back of your eye.
The eye care professional may also ask you to look at a piece of paper with a pattern that looks like a checkerboard, known as an Amsler grid. Early changes in your vision will make the lines of the grid appear wavy or distorted.
Many eye care professionals encourage elderly patients, especially those who have age-related macular degeneration diagnosed in one eye, to monitor their vision at home. Patients are encouraged to look carefully at the Amsler grid every day, once with each eye, to ensure that the lines do not appear bent or distorted. Patients who notice any change can contact their eye care professional immediately.
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