Imagine looking at the face of someone you love and seeing a blurry patch right in the middle. You can still see everything around it, but what you look at directly fades away. For many people, this is how age-related macular degeneration (AMD) begins. And here is the key point: in its early stages it causes no pain and almost no symptoms, so it is best not to wait until your vision gets worse to have it checked.
At Ramírez & Gálvez Clinic we explain what macular degeneration is, how to recognise the warning signs, what you can check yourself at home and which treatments are available today.
What is macular degeneration and why does it affect what you look at directly? 🎯
The macula is a tiny area at the centre of the retina, only a few millimetres across, but essential: it is responsible for detailed vision. It lets you read, recognise faces, drive, sew or look at your phone. AMD is the gradual wearing down of this area.
A reassuring fact: AMD does not cause total blindness. Peripheral vision, which helps you move around and find your way, is preserved. What deteriorates is central vision, and AMD is one of the leading causes of central vision loss after the age of 55.
Dry AMD and wet AMD: two forms, two speeds 🔬
- Dry AMD (atrophic): the most common form, around 9 out of 10 cases. Deposits called drusen build up and the macular cells wear away little by little. It progresses slowly, over years.
- Wet AMD (neovascular): less common but more aggressive. Abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid or bleed, and vision can worsen within days or weeks.
| Dry AMD | Wet AMD | |
|---|---|---|
| How common | About 85–90% of cases | 10–15% of cases |
| What happens | Drusen and wear of the macular cells | Abnormal vessels that leak fluid or bleed |
| Speed | Slow, over years | Fast, within days or weeks |
| Treatment | Monitoring, healthy habits and, where appropriate, prescribed supplements | Intravitreal injections of anti-angiogenic drugs |
| Urgency | Regular check-ups | Assessment within a few days |
One key detail: dry AMD can turn into wet AMD at any time. That is why people with dry AMD need regular check-ups and should learn to monitor their own vision.
Macular degeneration symptoms: the warning signs ⚠️
- Straight lines that look bent or wavy (door frames, tiles, lines of text).
- A grey, dark or blurry patch in the centre of your vision.
- Difficulty reading or recognising faces, even after changing glasses.
- Faded colours and a need for more light to see up close.
- Letters or words that “disappear” while reading.
Important: if you notice a sudden change in one eye, don’t wait for your next check-up. Book an appointment as soon as possible: in the wet form, time matters.
Am I at higher risk? The factors that matter 🧬
- Age: the risk rises clearly after 55.
- Smoking: the most important modifiable risk factor; it multiplies the likelihood of developing AMD.
- Family history of AMD.
- High blood pressure, high cholesterol or obesity.
- A diet low in fruit and vegetables and a lot of unprotected sun exposure.
- Light-coloured eyes.
The Amsler grid: a quick check you can do at home 📝
The Amsler grid is a square grid with a dot in the centre, used to spot distortions in central vision. It is simple and does not replace an eye examination, but it can give you an early clue.
- Sit about 30–40 cm from the grid, in good light and wearing your reading glasses if you use them.
- Cover one eye and stare at the central dot with the other.
- Without moving your gaze, ask yourself: are the lines straight? Is any piece missing? Are there blurry or wavy areas?
- Repeat with the other eye. If anything changes or you see distortions, book an appointment.
How is AMD diagnosed? 🩺
Diagnosis is made in the consulting room, painlessly and in a short time. The ophthalmologist examines the back of the eye with dilated pupils to see the macula and, depending on the case, may complete the assessment with imaging tests such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), which gives a detailed “slice” of the retina. In some cases other tests are needed to confirm whether abnormal vessels are present.
Treatment: what can be done today 💉
In dry AMD
There is currently no treatment that reverses the wear, but its progression can be slowed down and useful vision preserved for longer: stop smoking, look after your diet, protect your eyes from the sun and keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control. In intermediate or advanced stages, the ophthalmologist may prescribe specific antioxidant supplements. Don’t self-medicate: they only help when they are indicated for your case.
In wet AMD
The usual treatment is intravitreal injections of anti-angiogenic drugs, which slow the growth of abnormal vessels and reduce leakage. They are given regularly, under local anaesthesia, and require close follow-up. The aim is to stabilise vision and prevent it from worsening; the sooner treatment starts, the better the outlook, although results vary from person to person.
And if central vision is already affected, there are visual aids and low-vision rehabilitation (magnifiers, filters, lighting, electronic aids) that restore independence in daily life.
How to look after your macula every day 🥗
- Don’t smoke (and if you do, quitting is the best thing you can do for your eyes).
- Eat a varied diet: leafy green vegetables, fruit, oily fish and nuts, in the style of the Mediterranean diet.
- Protect your eyes from the sun with approved UV-filtering sunglasses.
- Keep blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose under control and stay active.
- Have a complete eye examination from the age of 50, and earlier if there is a family history, even if you see well.
Is it the same as cataracts? Other retinal diseases 🔍
No. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens and are treated with surgery; AMD affects the retina and cataract surgery does not correct it. Both can occur in the same person, which is why a complete examination matters. If you have diabetes, you should also know about diabetic retinopathy, and if you see flashes or a “curtain” across your vision, read about retinal detachment. And remember to monitor eye pressure too: glaucoma is also silent.
Frequently asked questions about macular degeneration ❓
Does AMD cause total blindness?
No. It affects central vision, but peripheral vision is preserved, so you can keep moving around independently.
Is it hereditary?
There is a family predisposition: if your parents or siblings have had it, your risk is higher. That is why it is worth starting check-ups earlier.
Can it be cured?
Today the macula cannot be restored to its original state, but its progression can be slowed, especially if it is detected early. In the wet form, early treatment makes the difference.
How often should I have my eyes checked?
As a general guide, a complete examination from the age of 50 and the frequency your ophthalmologist recommends for your case. If you already have AMD, follow-up is closer.
Do vitamins prevent AMD?
They are not a preventive measure for everyone. Specific supplements are prescribed in certain cases of already diagnosed AMD. Ask before taking them.
Have you noticed bent lines or a patch in the centre of your vision, or has it been a while since your last eye check?
Don’t put it off: Book your appointment at our clinics in Lucena or Torre del Mar and look after your central vision. 📅👁️
