Early Detection Of Macular Degeneration Symptoms

The onset of macular degeneration is generally not very rapid. It is a slow and painless process which results in a loss of vision, which may occur all of a sudden. During the initial phases of the development, you might experience haziness, contorted vision which could include shadowy images in your line of vision.

Macular degeneration symptoms in its early stages can be detected if you can get hold of an Amsler grid, which is designed as a graph paper. An eye doctor can easily detect macular degeneration, much earlier than the symptoms have become pronounced. An examination of the retina, usage of the Amsler grid are the usual paths of detecting whether there is anything wrong with your power of central vision. In case the doctor notices any blurred vision or distortion of lines and images, a fluorescein angiography is recommended. This test detects the health of the blood vessels in your retina.

Macular degeneration symptoms are varied. It all depends on which of the two types of macular degeneration you have - dry or wet. You could have only one eye affected with the disorder, while you can see perfectly with the other eye and continue to do your normal duties without any complaint. In the unfortunate event of both eyes getting affected, you might face problems in reading, needle-work or any work that requires closely looking at something. It is important to remember that since macular degeneration does not tamper with side vision, a lot of patients continue with their lives quite comfortably. In fact, a lot of macular generation symptoms can be overcome by using low vision optical aids.

One of the very early symptoms of dry macular degeneration is when you find that you need better and enhanced lighting to do any work which requires attention to detail. You might find it very difficult to get inside a restaurant with very dim lighting. Colors which are otherwise bright seem to have lost their intensity. Things like reading the fine print in a book or small street signs may be extremely difficult tasks. Even difficulty in recognizing familiar faces can get very embarrassing. Light grey or empty spots start appearing in your line of vision. The symptoms can grow slow or rapid, depending on individual situation.

Symptoms of wet macular degeneration could be lines otherwise straight looking wavy. Things could start looking smaller than they actually are. A blurred spot appears in the central part of your vision. There are many people who suffer from what are known as hallucinations as symptoms of macular degeneration. These may appear in the form of faces, animals, figures and patterns.