Early-stage dry AMD
Intermediate-stage dry AMD
Advanced-stage dry AMD (GA)
A few small or medium-sized pale yellow deposits called drusen form underneath the retina. Drusen themselves aren’t harmful, and at this stage, you probably won’t notice any symptoms or vision loss. But as more and more drusen form, dry AMD will progress, and vision loss can eventually occur. In about 10% to 15% of people with dry AMD, the damage affects larger areas and progresses to GA at a faster rate than others. It's hard to predict who will eventually get GA and who won't. Around 10% to 15% of those with dry AMD also develop wet AMD.
Geographic atrophy (GA) is what doctors call the late stage of dry AMD. At this point, the areas of atrophy are larger, more clearly defined, and shaped like islands. Damage, known as lesions, first forms in the area around the fovea
— a structure in the center of the retina responsible for sharp central vision. Over time, the lesions grow and merge. As they expand, blind spots form in the center of vision, making it hard to read or recognize faces. Without treatment, the lesions will gradually grow into the fovea.
GA can progress to total vision loss.
Understanding How
Geographic Atrophy Progresses
In this stage, there are either more drusen or larger drusen. Light-sensitive cells called photoreceptors in
the retina begin to die. Atrophy is the term for areas of damaged retinal cells. Some people with intermediate-stage dry AMD have no symptoms. Others see a blurry area in the middle of their vision or need more light to read or do other close-up tasks.
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