Dry vs. Wet Macular Degeneration: Key Differences Explained

Key Takeaways

  • The macula is responsible for your detailed central vision, so macular degeneration can impact this area, leaving peripheral (side) vision intact.
  • Dry macular degeneration causes changes slowly and accounts for more cases than wet AMD.
  • Wet macular degeneration is less common and involves leaking blood vessels, which can change your vision much more quickly.
  • Geographic atrophy is a thinning of the retina seen in late dry AMD.
  • A dilated eye exam and retinal imaging help show which type you have.

If you or your loved one has age-related macular degeneration, you may have heard of the 2 distinct types: Dry and wet. It’s common to have questions about what makes these types different and what treatment options are available, and at Bochner Eye Institute, our team is here to answer your questions.

Dry and wet macular degeneration both affect the macula, but dry AMD causes changes slowly over years, while wet AMD involves abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid and can shift your vision within weeks or months. Knowing which type you have impacts the treatment options available and the follow-up care you receive.

An Overview of Macular Degeneration

The macula is the central part of the retina (at the back of your eye) responsible for detailed sight. It’s what you use to read a text message, recognize a friend across the room, or thread a needle.

When the macula is affected, your side vision usually stays intact. So you or your loved one can still notice an object approaching in your peripheral vision, but faces or printed words in the middle of your view will look blurry or dim. Macular degeneration has 2 main types, dry and wet, and they behave quite differently.

Dry Macular Degeneration

How Dry AMD Changes Over Time

Dry AMD often involves yellow deposits called drusen that build up slowly under the retina. Because the buildup is gradual, some people can go years without noticing much difference in daily reading or driving.

Eye doctors describe dry AMD in early, intermediate, and late stages. In late dry AMD, an area of the retina can thin out, known as geographic atrophy, a serious condition that can cause permanent vision loss. For some people, a corneal laser procedure for AMD may be an option worth discussing.

Signs You Might Notice

Though AMD often has no symptoms in the early stages, as it progresses, you or your loved one may begin to notice a few signs. This could include:

  • Blurry central vision, especially when reading.
  • A need for brighter light to see fine print clearly.
  • Colours begin to look washed out or faded.



Wet Macular Degeneration

Why Wet AMD Moves Faster

Wet AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels leak fluid under the macula. That fluid can change your central sight over weeks or months rather than years, which is why sudden shifts deserve prompt attention. Wet AMD is significantly less common than the dry form, estimated to make up only 10 to 15% of macular degeneration cases.

For wet AMD, anti-VEGF injections are often the first recommended course of treatment. That said, the Compass RestoRx system for AMD is used for both dry and wet forms, and may be recommended in some cases.

Signs That Deserve Prompt Attention

Some changes in central vision should be assessed right away because they can signal progression to late AMD or the development of wet AMD. If you notice any of the following, contact your eye doctor promptly:

  • Straight lines, like a door frame or window blind, suddenly look wavy.
  • A dark or empty spot sits in the middle of your view.
  • Objects seem smaller or farther away than they should.

Key Differences Between Dry and Wet AMD

The most noticeable difference between dry and wet AMD is how quickly it progresses. Dry AMD often develops slowly, whereas wet AMD can appear suddenly. 

Dry AMD is far more common and can also turn into wet AMD over time, which is one reason regular follow-up appointments matter.

How Our Team Identifies Which Type You Have

A dilated eye exam paired with retinal imaging gives our team a detailed look at the macula. Scans can show whether fluid or drusen are present, and a dye test can highlight leaking vessels when wet AMD is suspected. From there, your eye doctor can recommend next steps.

Treatment and Everyday Habits for Each Type

Care Options by Type

Wet AMD is commonly managed with anti-VEGF injections, with laser therapy recommended in some specific situations. Dry AMD care often centres on monitoring and supplements, and newer injectable options are now available for certain people. 

Because treatment and monitoring depend on the type and stage of AMD, it’s important to have new or worsening vision changes assessed promptly.

Corneal Photovitrification for AMD

At Bochner Eye Institute, we offer corneal photovitrification, or CPV, a noninvasive laser procedure intended to redirect light within the eye toward healthier retinal tissue rather than directly treating the damaged macula. If you have dry AMD, your eye doctor can review your retinal imaging, AMD stage, and overall eye health to determine whether CPV may be appropriate for you and explain what the procedure can offer.

Book Your Consultation

If your central vision has shifted, whether slowly or overnight, our team at the Bochner Eye Institute can examine your macula and explain what the images show in plain language. Book a consultation today to talk through your treatment options and take the next step in caring for your vision.