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What is dry age-related macular degeneration?
Dry age-related macular disease (AMD) is a slow deterioration of the cells of the macula, often over many years, as the retinal cells break down and are not renewed. The term ‘dry’ does not mean the person has dry eyes, just that the condition is not wet AMD, which develops differently.
In the early stages, people may not notice significant changes to their vision and can often carry on with everyday activities. As the condition advances, central vision may become blurred or distorted, making tasks such as reading, recognising faces, or driving more difficult.
On this page:
The different stages of dry age-related macular degeneration
Doctors often describe the condition in three stages:
- Early dry AMD
- Intermediate dry AMD
- Late stage dry AMD (also called geographic atrophy)
This page explains the early and intermediate stages, while you can read more about late-stage dry AMD on a separate page.
What is early and intermediate age-related macular degeneration?
All parts of the body change as we age and it's normal to see differences in the way the retina looks in older people. The retina may develop slight changes in colour, and tiny yellowish fatty deposits called drusen may appear.
In some people, these changes are more noticeable, such as:
- many small drusen
- several large drusen
- bigger areas of colour abnormality in the retina
These changes may lead to a diagnosis of early AMD. Many people with early AMD will never develop sight loss, as the progress of the disease varies considerably from one person to the next. About 75% of people diagnosed with AMD have early AMD.
Intermediate AMD describes the stage where drusen are larger and more numerous, and changes in the retina are more obvious. Some people may start to notice subtle differences in their vision, while others remain symptom-free.
How to recognise early symptoms of dry AMD
In the early stages, AMD may cause few or no noticeable symptoms. However, as the condition progresses to intermediate AMD, you might begin to notice subtle changes, such as:
- Difficulty seeing in dim light or at night
- Straight lines appearing wavy or distorted (metamorphopsia)
- Blurred or fuzzy central vision
- Colours seeming duller or faded
- Increased sensitivity to glare
- Objects appearing smaller than they really are
These changes can be subtle and gradual. Sometimes, a routine eye test is the first time AMD is detected.
What causes dry AMD and who is at risk?
AMD affects the macula, a tiny but vital area at the back of your eye responsible for central and detailed vision. It contains a high concentration of photoreceptors – the cells that sense light and send signals to the brain.
Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing AMD:
- Age – this is the biggest risk factor with AMD most common in those over 60
- Genetics – a family history of AMD increases your risk of developing AMD
- Smoking – increases your risk of developing AMD by 2-4 times and can also speed up progression
- Diet and lifestyle – poor nutrition and lack of exercise may contribute.
How dry AMD is diagnosed: tests and what to expect
Until quite recently, most people with AMD would not even know they had it until it began to affect their sight. Nowadays, very sophisticated eye scanning machines are increasingly available in high street opticians. This is leading to more diagnoses of early AMD.
Early and intermediate AMD are often diagnosed during routine eye tests using a special scan called Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). This non-invasive scan produces detailed images of the retina and macula, allowing opticians to detect:
- Drusen and their size
- Changes in the retinal layers
- Cell loss or thinning (in dry AMD)
- New blood vessel growth (in wet AMD)
OCT scans are now widely available in many high street opticians.
Managing early or intermediate dry AMD: treatments, lifestyle changes, and support
Currently, there is no cure or direct treatment for early or intermediate AMD. However, there are steps you can take to help slow its progression:
Lifestyle changes
If you’re told you have early AMD, there are some things you can do to reduce the likelihood of the disease progressing.
- If you smoke, stop. Smokers are 2-4 times more likely to develop AMD than non-smokers. Smoking causes AMD to progress faster and makes treatment less effective.
- Stay active with moderate exercise to maintain a healthy weight and normal blood pressure.
- Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, especially green, leafy vegetables. These contain nutrients that are thought to be important to eye health.
Unfortunately, taking these precautions does not prevent AMD progressing in everyone. If the disease does progress, your vision can be affected to some extent.
Nutritional supplements
Some experts recommend nutritional supplements for people with early AMD. However, the evidence for this is considered weak by other experts. The best evidence is from two large studies, the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS) 1 and 2.
Please see our Nutrition page for more about AREDS, diet and supplements.
If you decide to take a supplement, consult your GP first, especially if you’re taking other medication.
Monitoring your vision
If you have early AMD it’s a good idea to monitor your vision every week or so to spot changes early. You can do this very simply by closing one eye and looking at window frames or door posts to see if there is any distortion. Alternatively, you can download an Amsler grid below to monitor your vision, or request one from our Helpline.
Whatever the stage of your AMD, if you have sudden changes to your vision, see your optometrist or hospital eye clinic urgently – the same day if possible.
Living with early or intermediate AMD
A diagnosis of AMD doesn’t mean you’ll lose your sight. Many people with early or intermediate AMD continue to live active and independent lives. The Macular Society offers a range of support to help you adapt:
Our support services:
There is also a wide range of practical advice and helpful information on macular disease on our website. Also for the latest updates and guidance from experts, see our webinars.
Download an Amsler grid to monitor your vision
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Amsler Grid.pdf (PDF 182.3KB)
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between early, intermediate and late AMD?
Early AMD shows small drusen deposits with little to no symptoms. Intermediate AMD has larger or more numerous drusen and may cause minor vision issues. Late AMD causes central vision loss and can be either dry (geographic atrophy) or wet (with leaking blood vessels).
Will I go blind from AMD?
AMD affects central vision but does not lead to total blindness. Peripheral (side) vision usually remains intact.
Can early AMD turn into wet AMD?
Yes, it is possible, but not everyone progresses to wet AMD. Monitoring and healthy lifestyle choices can help reduce the risk. Progression to wet AMD usually causes changes to vision, it is important to get this checked and treated as soon as possible.
How often should I have an eye test if I have AMD?
You should have regular check-ups as advised by your optician or ophthalmologist, especially if you notice any changes in your vision.
Can diet really help AMD?
Yes. A Mediterranean-style diet rich in green leafy vegetables, fish, nuts and healthy oils has been shown to support eye health and potentially slow progression. Read more on nutrition.
Should I take AREDS supplements?
Only under medical advice. Supplements can interfere with medications or be inappropriate for some health conditions. Read more on supplements.
What are drusen and should I be worried about them?
Drusen are natural deposits under the retina. Small drusen are common with age, but large or numerous drusen can be a sign of AMD.
Is AMD inherited?
Yes, there is a genetic component. If a close relative has AMD, your risk may be higher.
Can glasses help with AMD?
Standard glasses won’t stop AMD progression, but low vision aids, reading glasses and magnifiers can help make the most of remaining vision.
What should I do if my vision suddenly worsens?
Seek medical attention immediately. Sudden vision loss could indicate wet AMD or other serious eye conditions that require urgent treatment.
Support for you
We provide free information and support to those with macular disease, along with their family and friends, to help people keep their independence.
Late-stage age-related macular degeneration
Geographic atrophy (GA) is the scientific term for late stage dry aged-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is called geographic atrophy, as the damage to the macula tends to start as patches of damage (or atrophy) that look like islands on a map when a doctor looks at the back of the eye.
Last review date: Oct 2025
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