Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition that affects vision at the center of the eye and progresses slowly. There are two AMD types: dry and wet. Dry AMD has three defined stages: early, middle, and late.

AMD can cause a person’s central vision to become blurry. It typically affects older adults.

Dry AMD, also called atrophic AMD, may progress through three stages as the condition worsens. Wet AMD does not have an early or intermediate stage. Instead, doctors regard wet AMD as advanced stage AMD. Vision loss becomes a risk at the late stage.

AMD rarely shows symptoms until the later stages. Progression also depends on the type, as dry AMD and wet AMD worsen at different speeds.

Dry AMD progresses in three stages: early, middle or intermediate, and late.

Any stage of dry AMD can turn into wet AMD. However, healthcare professionals always classify wet AMD as late stage AMD.

Early stage AMD

This stage typically causes no symptoms. A person may only be aware of early dry AMD if an eye doctor, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist, identifies it during a routine eye exam.

Regular eye exams are crucial for catching AMD at this stage.

Middle stage AMD

Some people will not experience symptoms during this stage. However, middle or intermediate stage AMD can sometimes cause the following:

  • mild blurriness in the middle of the visual field
  • issues with vision in low lighting

Late stage AMD

Around 28% of people with middle stage AMD experience progression to late stage dry AMD, also called geographic atrophy, within 5 years.

As AMD progression is gradual, those with late stage AMD have had the condition for years.

Symptoms of late stage AMD may include:

  • straight lines appearing wavy or lopsided
  • blurry central vision, which may worsen
  • blank spots at the center of vision
  • difficulty seeing in low lighting
  • colors becoming duller

Once dry AMD reaches this stage, vision loss is permanent.

AMD is an eye condition that can cause central vision to become blurry. A 2022 review suggests that AMD affects 1 in 8 people over 60 years of age.

Estimates in the review suggest that around 200 million people globally have AMD and that this may rise to 300 million by the year 2040.

Wet and dry AMD lead to different changes in the eye and progress at different speeds. However, both affect the macula, the area at the center of the retina. The retina is the layer of cells at the back of the eye that detects color and contrast and provides accuracy.

Read on to learn more about wet and dry AMD.

Dry AMD

With dry AMD, the retina and macula get thinner over time. Everyone with AMD starts with this form, which may progress to wet AMD at a later stage. However, dry AMD usually takes several years to progress to a later stage.

Dry AMD becomes more likely after 55 years of age. Several other factors can also increase the risk of getting AMD or losing vision upon developing the condition, including:

  • smoking
  • having high blood pressure
  • being female

Currently, there is no treatment for early or late stage dry AMD. However, doctors may recommend dietary supplements to manage middle stage dry AMD.

Wet AMD

In this form, tiny new blood vessels form at the back of the eye. These blood vessels can then leak, damaging the macula. Around 10% of people with AMD develop the wet type.

Wet AMD can happen at any stage of dry AMD, but it is always late stage when it develops.

People with wet AMD can experience vision loss quickly and severely without treatment. However, treatments are available and can help those with wet AMD preserve their vision if they receive timely care.

A person with dry AMD may not experience symptoms until the middle or late stages. These might include:

  • central vision loss
  • difficulty seeing at night or requiring a bright nightlight or flashlight to see in the dark
  • issues when reading, such as words becoming blurry
  • trouble recognizing faces or facial expressions

AMD can develop in one or both eyes. Around 64.5% of people with AMD have it in both eyes at the same stage of progression. This means an estimated 35.5% of individuals may have different stages of AMD in either eye.

It is also possible for dry AMD to keep progressing along with wet AMD in an eye with both. This is because the dry and wet forms of AMD are not mutually exclusive.

Having AMD in one eye can increase the risk of developing it in the other eye. However, people can take steps to protect their other eye and reduce the risk, such as eating a balanced diet and avoiding smoking.

There is no way to reverse vision loss due to late stage dry AMD. However, diagnosing AMD at an earlier stage means that it may be possible to slow or prevent progression. Since early stages often have no symptoms, this requires regular eye exams.

Specialist eye doctors may recommend nutritional supplements to reduce the risk of AMD progression and vision loss. They may refer to these supplements as AREDS/AREDS 2, which include:

Other lifestyle adjustments that can support slower progression might include:

  • quitting or avoiding smoking, if applicable
  • maintaining a moderate weight for a person’s body type
  • eating a balanced diet
  • getting regular exercise

Dry AMD progresses through early, middle, and late stages. It can become wet AMD, a more rapidly progressing type, at any stage. Doctors always classify wet AMD as late stage AMD.

Although both eyes are often at the same stage, they can have different types and different stages of AMD.

AMD can cause vision loss at the late stage. However, it is possible to prevent late stage AMD by identifying AMD early on, taking certain supplements, and making lifestyle adjustments. Regular eye exams can detect early signs of AMD.