Wet macular degeneration is a chronic eye disease that causes blurred vision or a blind spot in your visual field. It's generally caused by abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid or blood into the macula (MAK-u-luh). The macula is in the part of the retina responsible for central vision.
Wet macular degeneration is one of two types of age-related macular degeneration. The other type â dry macular degeneration â is more common and less severe. The wet type always begins as the dry type.
Early detection and treatment of wet macular degeneration may help reduce vision loss and, in some instances, recover vision.
Wet macular degeneration care at Mayo Clinic
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Wet macular degeneration symptoms usually appear suddenly and worsen rapidly. They may include:
Macular degeneration doesn't affect side (peripheral) vision, so it rarely causes total blindness.
See your eye doctor if:
These changes may be the first indication of macular degeneration, particularly if you're older than age 50.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
No one knows the exact cause of wet macular degeneration, but it develops in people who have had dry macular degeneration. Of all people with age-related macular degeneration, about 10 percent have the wet form.
Wet macular degeneration can develop in different ways:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Your doctor will review your medical and family history and conduct a complete eye exam. To confirm a diagnosis of macular degeneration, he or she may do several other tests, including:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
People whose wet macular degeneration has progressed to central vision loss may experience depression or visual hallucinations (Charles Bonnet syndrome).
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
The following measures may help reduce your risk of developing wet macular degeneration:
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Vision loss from macular degeneration can affect your ability to do things such as read, recognize faces and drive. These tips may help you cope with your changing vision:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Factors that may increase your risk of macular degeneration include:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
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