Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that can cause vision loss. It’s the leading cause of vision loss in people over 60 in the United States, and about 15 percent of people diagnosed with AMD will eventually develop legal blindness, according to Wolters Kluwer UpToDate.

Depending on the type of AMD you have, your symptoms may progress gradually over time or very rapidly. You may develop AMD in one eye or both. It’s also possible to have mild AMD in one eye and more severe AMD in the other.

AMD affects your retina — the tissue at the back of your eye that converts light into electrical signals to your brain. Specifically, AMD affects the central part of the retina, called the macula, which controls your detailed, straight-ahead vision (also known as central vision).

Continue reading to learn about common symptoms of AMD and the early warning signs. By recognizing the symptoms early, you can get diagnosed earlier and may be able to start treatment to help prevent further damage and vision loss.

1. Difficulty Adjusting to Light Changes

When you have age-related macular degeneration, you may notice that your vision is worse when you have to adjust to light changes — especially when you go from bright light to dark. You might have trouble seeing at first when you come indoors on a sunny day, drive into a tunnel, or go from a brightly lit room to a dark one.

The cells in your retina that process vision in low light are the first cells affected by AMD. This means that your eyes may take longer to adjust to light changes. As AMD progresses, you may need more and more time to adapt to light changes.

2. Poor Night Vision

In addition to needing more time to adjust to dark conditions with AMD, you may notice that your night vision isn’t as good as it used to be. Night vision refers to your ability to see in dark or low-light conditions.

If AMD destroys the cells in your retina responsible for how you see in low light, it can be harder to see in the dark. You may also find that it’s harder to see during the day when it’s rainy or cloudy.

When you have poor night vision, it can become difficult to drive at night, and you may have an increased risk of falling.

3. Blurry Vision

When you have AMD, you may notice blurriness in your central vision — you might not see what’s in front of you as sharply as you did before. Because AMD doesn’t affect your peripheral (side) vision, you may notice blurriness only in your central vision.

Blurry vision is characteristic of intermediate-stage AMD and may continue to get worse as AMD progresses.

4. Trouble Reading

AMD affects your central vision, which is the part of your vision that you use to read. If your central vision is blurry or if you have dark spots in your vision, reading can be more difficult. Trouble seeing in low light can also make reading harder. One early symptom of AMD you may notice is that you need brighter light — or just need to take more time — to read.

As the eye condition progresses, you may find reading difficult even if you wear glasses.

5. Dark Spots in Your Vision

You may have dark or blank spots in your vision if you have advanced AMD.

With the advanced form of dry AMD, known as geographic atrophy, patches of dead retinal cells can create a blind spot that may appear black, gray, or red. If you have wet AMD, you may see dark spots in your central vision caused by a buildup of fluid from leaky blood vessels. When fluid collects in your macula, it can cause a bulge that results in a dark spot in your vision.

You may not experience dark spots all the time. Some people with AMD notice dark spots only when looking at a white wall. For example, when you wake up and look at your ceiling, you may see dark spots in the center of your vision.

Talk to your health care provider right away if a dark spot in your vision occurs suddenly.

6. Straight Lines Appear Wavy or Curved

If you’re looking at an object that you know should have straight lines — such as a door or window blinds — but instead looks wavy or curved, it may be a symptom of AMD. If this symptom appears suddenly, you should seek treatment right away. It may signal that you’re progressing to a more severe type of AMD.

To test for this symptom, you can use an Amsler grid, which uses a square with a grid pattern that has a dot in the middle. This at-home test helps reveal vision problems that may not be obvious otherwise. Your eye doctor may recommend using this tool daily to help you notice vision changes early.

7. Changes in Color Vision

As AMD progresses, you may begin to lose your color vision. This is because your macula is responsible for color vision. With more damage to your macula, it can be harder and harder for you to notice certain colors.

Yellows, purples, and pastels are usually the first colors that become difficult to see. As you lose your ability to perceive colors, your brain will see shades of black and gray instead.

8. Problems With Recognizing Faces

You may notice that you have more difficulty recognizing faces if you have advanced AMD. You may have trouble identifying the fine details that help you distinguish one face from another because faces appear blurred or distorted. You may first notice that you have trouble making out facial expressions.

Being unable to recognize friends and loved ones can lead to feelings of guilt and embarrassment, as well as worries about offending people. This may make it difficult for you to interact in a social situation.

9. Low Vision and Vision Loss

AMD can cause low vision or loss of central vision. The term “low vision” refers to the inability to see well enough to do everyday activities, such as reading, driving, or watching television. Wearing glasses or contact lenses won’t fix low vision.

Not everyone with AMD will develop low vision or vision loss. About 15 percent of people with AMD will become legally blind — defined as less than 20/200 central visual acuity. That means that you need to be just 20 feet away to see what the average person can see at a distance of 200 feet. However, most people with AMD don’t become completely blind.

Early Warning Signs of Macular Degeneration

For many people, the first symptoms of AMD involve difficulty reading and seeing in the dark. However, you may not have any symptoms in the early stages of AMD. Even people with intermediate AMD may not notice any symptoms. This is why it’s so important to get a regular comprehensive eye exam to check your eye health and look for signs of AMD.

Your eye care provider (such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist) can screen for signs of AMD before you notice any symptoms in your vision. A dilated eye exam can help your eye care provider look for signs of AMD, including drusen and new blood vessels in your eye.

Drusen

Drusen are yellow deposits of proteins and fats that develop under the retina. Drusen can develop naturally as you age — many people 50 and older without AMD develop small drusen. However, having lots of small drusen or larger drusen can be an early sign of dry macular degeneration.

Abnormal Blood Vessel Growth

Abnormal blood vessels begin to grow under your retina in the early stages of wet macular degeneration. These new blood vessels are prone to leaking blood and fluid that can damage your macula. Your eye care provider may be able to see signs of leaky blood vessels during a dilated eye exam. A test called optical coherence tomography can produce a more detailed picture of the back of your eye to more clearly show abnormal blood vessels.

You may not notice any symptoms when the blood vessels first begin to grow. Early detection of abnormal blood vessels can help you get treatment before they start causing problems with your vision.

Read about risk factors for developing AMD.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myAMDteam, the social network for people with age-related macular degeneration and their loved one, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with those who understand.

Are you or a family member living with AMD? Did you experience any early warning signs of AMD? Share your experiences in a comment below or on your Activities page.