What are the differences between Dry and Wet AMD?

AMD is classified as Dry (atrophic) or Wet (neovascular or exudative). Dry AMD is more common and has three stages: early, intermediate, and advanced. Dry AMD occurs when cells under the macula break down and create deposits called drusens. Drusens are yellow deposits under the retina. For some people, drusens can cause change of vision. Others may have little or no change. With progression, Dry (atrophic) AMD results a gradual breakdown and dying of cells in the macula, resulting in a blurring of central vision. Even though there is no cure for dry AMD, early detection is very important because treatment such as MacuSave has been proven by recent studies to help in slowing the progression of the disease.


Wet AMD is more the more serious form. There are more than 200,000 people in the United States diagnosed with Wet AMD every year. Without treatment, patients can lose their central vision over time, leaving only peripheral, or side, vision. In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula. These blood vessels leak, bleed, and scar the retina. This could in turn result in distortion and/or destruction of central vision. Vision distortion usually starts in one eye and may affect the other eye later. In contrast to the dry type, vision loss may be rapid in wet AMD.

If you have AMD in one eye, it's important to carefully monitor the other eye. That is because there's close to a 50% chance you will develop AMD in your other eye within 5 years. For this reason, tell your eye doctor about any vision changes.