A spot in the centre of your vision, wavy lines? The signs of AMD
Macula, dry and wet forms, signs not to ignore, Amsler grid, diagnosis and care: the carousel published on Instagram by Dr Mayer Srour, in 6 images.
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A spot in the centre of your vision, wavy lines?
These are the signs of AMD — age-related macular degeneration. Caught early, it can be monitored, and its wet form can be treated.
What is affected: the macula, the centre of the retina. Screening: from age 55, earlier if there is a family history. At the practice: OCT and OCT-A, a painless, contact-free test.
The macula, your fine vision
This small area at the centre of the retina carries fine vision: reading, recognising a face, driving. This is what AMD affects — peripheral vision is preserved.
AMD does not cause blindness: it damages central vision, not peripheral vision.
Dry or wet: two forms
The dry form is the most common and progresses slowly. The wet form is rarer, faster — and it is the one that can be treated.
A dry form can progress to a wet form: this is the whole point of regular follow-up.
Signs not to ignore
Often only one eye at first — the other compensates, and the signs go unnoticed.
Distorted lines: a tiled wall or a door frame that seems wavy. Central spot: a blurred or dark area right where you are looking. Difficulty reading: missing letters, needing more light. Colours and faces: duller shades, features that are harder to recognise.
Amsler grid: look at the central dot, one eye at a time, at 30 cm. Wavy lines or a missing area warrant a prompt opinion.
A distortion or spot that appears suddenly warrants a prompt ophthalmological opinion.
How it is diagnosed
The fundus examination and OCT show the macula layer by layer: drusen and atrophy in the dry form, fluid and haemorrhage in the wet form.
OCT: a cross-section of the macula in a few seconds, with no contact or pain. OCT-A and angiography: to visualise the abnormal vessels of the wet form.
What can be done today
Wet form — intravitreal injections: an anti-VEGF treatment delivered into the eye, under local anaesthesia, to dry up the abnormal vessels. Performed at the practice, in a dedicated room.
Dry form — monitoring and lifestyle: regular follow-up, stopping smoking, a diet rich in leafy green vegetables and oily fish, sun protection. Supplements on medical advice.
The first reflex: check each eye separately with the Amsler grid, and report any new distortion.
The earlier the wet form is treated, the more of your existing vision is preserved.
Going further
This carousel summarises the essentials in a few images. The subject is covered in more depth on the dedicated page of the website: AMD: the first signs and screening (full article).
