Wet age-related macular degeneration, or wet AMD, is an advanced form of AMD. AMD is an eye condition in which the central part of the retina—called the macula—becomes damaged. The macula is responsible for sharp, detailed, straight-ahead vision. AMD decreases your ability to see what is directly in front of you. It is called “age-related” because it most commonly affects people over age 60.
Wet AMD is one type of AMD. Most people with AMD have the dry form, which may come on slowly and progress over time. In 10-15% of people with dry AMD, the condition progresses to wet AMD. Wet AMD results from abnormal blood vessels growing behind the macula and then leaking fluid, which scars the macula.
Wet AMD symptoms are similar to those of dry AMD, including blurred central vision, distortion, and dark spots. However, symptoms of wet AMD may come on rapidly and be more severe. Although wet AMD can affect only one eye, it often affects both eyes.
Wet AMD requires immediate medical treatment. This advanced type of AMD is the most common cause of vision loss among people over age 50 in the United States. Knowing the symptoms of wet AMD may help you act on any changes sooner and get the medical help you need to prevent further damage.
Blurring central vision is one of the earliest and most common symptoms of wet AMD. You may notice your central vision becomes hazy, making it difficult to see fine details. While your peripheral (side) vision may be normal, blurred central vision can make it hard to read, write, and recognize faces.
Unlike the gradual blurring seen in dry AMD, the blurring in wet AMD can occur suddenly and worsen quickly.
When blood or fluid leaks out of the new blood vessels behind the macula, it can press on the macula and change its shape. This action can cause distortions in your vision, also called metamorphopsia. You may find that straight lines appear wavy or like they are bending. For instance, the lines on a piece of graph paper or the edges of door frames may look distorted.
Another possible type of vision distortion is micropsia. This means that items in your central field of vision look smaller or farther away than they actually are.
People with wet AMD may have a dark or seemingly empty spot in the central part of their vision. This spot, called a scotoma, may start out small and get darker or larger over time. The resulting vision loss makes it difficult to see objects directly in front of you, impairing your ability to do daily tasks.
People with wet AMD may find it challenging to adapt to low-light conditions. This is because a damaged macula has a harder time processing visual information in low-light settings. The result might be poor night vision or trouble adjusting when moving from a well-lit area to a dimly lit one. You may have difficulty seeing contrast and increasingly depend on brighter lighting for daily activities.
With wet AMD, colors may appear less bright and intense. This symptom occurs because the macula is responsible for detailed and color vision. When the macula is damaged, colors may begin to look duller or darker.
Wet AMD symptoms may come on and worsen quickly. In fact, vision loss can begin within days or weeks.
Without treatment, wet AMD will likely lead to permanent vision loss. With early treatment, however, you can significantly reduce your risk of vision loss. Complete blindness is not common with wet AMD, but legal blindness (defined as having vision less than 20/200) can be.
Everyone should get regular eye exams to monitor for any changes, even if they are not having symptoms. These exams become particularly important as you age. Wet AMD runs in families and is more common among people with risk factors like smoking, high cholesterol, and heart disease.
If you have these risk factors or a family history of AMD, make sure to get eye exams on the schedule your healthcare provider recommends.
Regardless of risk factors or family history, you should contact a healthcare provider if you notice any changes in your vision, especially if straight lines start to appear wavy or bent. If you don’t already have an ophthalmologist, you can visit a primary care provider who can recommend an eye specialist for you.
During an eye exam, an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) can dilate your eyes to look for any signs of wet AMD or other eye conditions. They also may run visual acuity tests such as the Amsler grid exam. This exam can help detect visual disturbances that are common in wet AMD.
Wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) is a serious eye condition that can cause severe vision loss. Symptoms may include blurry vision, dark spots in the center of your vision, and the appearance of straight lines as wavy.
Wet AMD can progress quickly, but treating it right away can help preserve your central vision. Make sure to get regular eye exams and monitor yourself for any vision changes so you can get treatment if necessary.
