What Is the Difference Between Dry and Wet Macular Degeneration?

Many patients are surprised to learn there are actually two types of macular degeneration: dry AMD and wet AMD.

Dry AMD is the more common form and develops gradually over time as retinal cells age and accumulate deposits called drusen.

Wet AMD is less common but more aggressive. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid or blood.

Common symptoms of both include:

Blurry central vision
Distortion
Difficulty reading
Trouble recognizing faces

Valeda™ Red Light Therapy is specifically designed for certain patients with dry AMD.

At Wagner Kapoor Institute, our retina specialists can determine which type of AMD you have through advanced retinal imaging and examination.

Author

Kapil G. Kapoor, MD, FACS, FICS, FASRS Dr. Kapil G. Kapoor, is a board certified ophthalmologist specializing in vitreoretinal surgery. He is Co-Founder and President of the Wagner Kapoor Research Institute which has been actively engaged in over 75 clinical trials, often one of the only sites in the region offering sight-saving treatment. He has been passionately involved in ophthalmology research as part of his mission to deliver the best care possible to his patients. With over a decade’s experience in the field, Dr. Kapoor is a progressive leader in the healthcare space.

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