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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Photographs depicting normal vision and vision with macular degeneration Vision with macular degeneration

Wet macular degeneration symptoms usually appear and progress rapidly. Symptoms may include:

  • Visual distortions, such as straight lines appearing wavy or crooked, a doorway or street sign looking lopsided, or objects appearing smaller or farther away than they really are
  • Decreased central vision
  • Decreased intensity or brightness of colors
  • Well-defined blurry spot or blind spot in your field of vision
  • Abrupt onset
  • Rapid worsening
  • Hallucinations of geometric shapes, animals or people, in cases of advanced macular degeneration

When to see a doctor
See your eye doctor if:

  • You notice changes in your central vision
  • Your ability to see colors and fine detail becomes impaired

These changes may be the first indication of macular degeneration, particularly if you're older than age 50.

Causes Definition
References
  1. Facts about age-related macular degeneration. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts.asp. Accessed Sept. 28, 2012.
  2. What is age-related macular degeneration? American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/amd.cfm. Accessed Sept. 28, 2012.
  3. Arroyo JG. Age-related macular degeneration: Epidemiology, etiology, and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 29, 2012.
  4. Macular degeneration symptoms. American Academy of Ophthalmology http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/amd-symptoms.cfm. Accessed Sept. 27, 2012.
  5. Yanoff M, ed., et al. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. Edinburgh, U.K.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/212799885-2/0/1869/0.html. Accessed Sept. 28, 2012.
  6. Who is at risk for macular degeneration? American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/amd-risk.cfm. Accessed Sept. 28, 2012.
  7. Arroyo JG. Age-related macular degeneration: Treatment and prevention. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Sept. 28, 2012.
  8. Macular degeneration diagnosis. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/amd-diagnosis.cfm. Accessed Sept. 28, 2012.
  9. Macular degeneration treatment. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/amd-treatment.cfm. Accessed Sept. 28, 2012.
  10. Macular degeneration and low vision. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/amd-low-vision.cfm. Accessed Sept. 27, 2012.
  11. Low vision aids and low vision rehabilitation. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/low-vision-aids-rehabilitation.cfm. Accessed Sept. 28, 2012.
  12. Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 15, 2012.
  13. Hughes DF. Charles Bonnet syndrome: A literature review into diagnostic criteria, treatment and implications for nursing practice. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. Accessed Sept. 28, 2012.
  14. Visudyne (prescribing information). Vancouver, Canada: QLT Inc.; 2010. http://www.visudyne.com/pub/patient/en-us/common/prescribing-information.aspx. Accessed Oct. 15, 2012.
DS01086 Dec. 1, 2012

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