What are wet and dry macular degeneration?
Most cases of Macular Degeneration are the “dry” type, because they have no fluid or blood leakage. The “wet” type involves abnormal blood vessels, which can leak fluid and blood. This type can sometimes be slowed by laser treatments. Generally, “wet” macular degeneration progresses more suddenly than the “dry” type.
There are two forms of macular degeneration: dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration. The dry form, in which the cells of the macula slowly begin to break down, is diagnosed in 90 percent of macular degeneration cases. It may occur in one eye or both. The wet form, although it only accounts for 10 percent of the cases, results in 90 percent of the blindness. As the dry form worsens, some people begin to have abnormal blood vessels growing behind the macula. These vessels are very fragile and will leak fluid and blood (hence ‘wet’ macular degeneration), causing rapid damage to the macula. How is macular degeneration diagnosed?
There are two forms of (AMD): dry AMD and wet AMD. The dry form, in which the cells of the macula slowly begin to break down, is diagnosed in 85 percent of cases. Both eyes are usually affected by dry AMD, although one eye can lose vision while the other eye appears unaffected. Drusen, yellow deposits under the retina, are common early signs of dry AMD. The risk of developing advanced dry AMD or wet AMD increases as the number or size of the drusen increases. The wet form, accounts for only 15 % of cases but results in 90% of the blindness, and is considered advanced AMD. As the dry form worsens, some people begin to have abnormal blood vessels growing behind the macula. These new blood vessels may then bleed and leak fluid, causing the macula to bulge or lift up, thus distorting or destroying central vision. Under these circumstances, vision loss may be rapid and severe.
