There are several types of age related macular degeneration, the two most common are 'dry', or atrophic, macular degeneration and 'wet', or exudative, macular degeneration. Dry age related macular degeneration (dry AMD) affects the majority of those with age related macular degeneration. Patients with dry AMD gradually lose the central vision in their affected eye as the macular degenerates. Dry AMD often occurs in one eye, however, it may affect the other eye later. Patients with dry AMD often do not notice the changes in their vision, particularly if their dominant eye is unaffected. Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration (wet AMD) occurs when the eye develops new blood vessels which grow up from the choroid towards the macula. Because these new blood vessels tend to be fragile they will often leak fluid under the macula. This causes rapid damage to the macula and can lead to the loss of central vision in a short period of time.

To learn more about macular degeneration, see our dedicated guide.