Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Age-related sight loss

HCA UK's experts can help to diagnose and treat age-related sight loss.

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0207 079 4344

What is AMD?

AMD is a common sight-loss condition that mainly affects people aged in their 50s and 60s. AMD causes changes to the central part of your retina, called the macula. It doesn’t lead to pain or total sight loss but can make every day tasks harder.

At HCA UK, our team of expert optometrists and ophthalmology consultants specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of a range of sight disorders such as age-related macular degeneration.

Types of age-related macular degeneration

Dry AMD

Dry AMD is the type of AMD that affects the most people. It develops slowly and can cause a blank patch in your central vision.

Wet AMD

Wet AMD develops over days or weeks. Due to the macula (retina) cells not working properly, new blood vessels start to grow which then bleed and scar.

Need to know

  • What are the symptoms of age-related macular degeneration? icon plus

    AMD can make everyday tasks such as: reading, watching television, recognising faces or looking at photos more difficult.

    Other symptoms may include:

    • Straight lines appear distorted
    • A blurred area in your vision
    • Difficulty adapting to low light levels

    The exact cause of wet and dry AMD is unknown, although they could be linked to smoking and being overweight.

  • How is AMD diagnosed? icon plus

    Your GP, optometrist or ophthalmology consultant will discuss your symptoms with you.

    Tests they may recommend include:

    • An eye test where a magnifying glass with a light is used to examine the back of your eyes and check your vision.
    • To make it easier for them to spot any problems, you may also have some eye drops put into your eye which can make your vision blurry for a couple of hours.

  • What treatment options are available for AMD? icon plus

    Treatment options for your type of AMD depends on the nature of your condition.If you have dry AMD, there is no treatment available but vision aids can help you see better.

    Treatment for wet AMD may include:

    • Using vision aids such as magnifying glasses as part of your everyday life
    • Regular eye injections with Anti-VEGF medicines
    • Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a light treatment that will stop your vision deteriorating
    • Eccentric viewing training (EVT), which involves identifying part of the retina that still has a reasonable amount of functionality and then learning techniques in order to use it more effectively

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From complex eye surgery to straightforward procedures, we provide exceptional ophthalmology care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.

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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
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