Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a progressive retinal condition that affects your central vision, most often in adults over 50. At Kovach Eye Institute, our experienced retina specialists diagnose and treat all types of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using advanced imaging and personalized treatment options. We proudly serve patients in Chicago and throughout Chicagoland, with offices in Elmhurst, Naperville, South Barrington, and Lincolnwood.
- What is Macular Degeneration and How Does it Affect Your Vision?
- Types of Macular Degeneration
- What are the Symptoms of Macular Degeneration?
- How is Macular Degeneration Diagnosed?
- Stages of Macular Degeneration
- What are the Treatment Options for Macular Degeneration?
- FAQs About Age-Related Macular Degeneration
What is Macular Degeneration and How Does it Affect Your Vision?
Macular degeneration is a progressive eye disease that affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for processing central vision. Located at the back of the eye, the retina helps convert light into signals that the brain interprets as images. The macula supports important visual tasks such as reading, recognizing faces, and seeing what’s directly in front of you — so when this area begins to deteriorate, it can make daily activities more difficult.
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Retina
Cleveland Clinic
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The most common form is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which typically affects adults over the age of 50. AMD causes gradual damage to the macula, leading to a loss of central vision while usually preserving peripheral (side) vision. Although dry AMD is more common, some people develop wet AMD, a more advanced form involving abnormal blood vessels beneath the retina.
Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of vision loss in older adults.
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Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Data and Statistics
National Eye Institute
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While there is currently no cure, ongoing advances in ophthalmology — including new treatment options and clinical trials — are helping patients preserve their vision and maintain their eye health for longer.
Types of Macular Degeneration
There are two main types of age-related macular degeneration (AMD): dry AMD and wet AMD. Both forms affect the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision, but they progress in different ways and require different treatment plans. A third condition, known as geographic atrophy, is considered an advanced stage of dry AMD and can lead to more significant vision impairment.
Dry Macular Degeneration (Non-Neovascular)
Dry macular degeneration is the most common form of AMD, accounting for nearly 90% of cases. It occurs when yellow deposits known as drusen accumulate beneath the macula, leading to gradual thinning and degeneration of this critical area of the retina. Over time, this process may result in a slow decline in central vision. While dry AMD typically progresses slowly, it can significantly affect your ability to read, recognize faces, or perform tasks that require focused vision. In some cases, dry AMD may advance to wet AMD or geographic atrophy.
Wet Macular Degeneration (Neovascular)
Wet AMD is less common but more aggressive. This form of AMD involves the growth of abnormal blood vessels beneath the macula. These vessels are fragile and prone to leaking blood or fluid, which can cause swelling, scarring, and more rapid damage to the retina. Patients may notice sudden changes in vision, such as straight lines appearing wavy or dark spots in their central vision. Intravitreal injections, often using anti-VEGF medications, are commonly used to manage this form of AMD and slow its progression.
Geographic Atrophy (Advanced Dry AMD)
Geographic atrophy (GA) is a late-stage form of dry age-related macular degeneration. It is characterized by areas of retinal tissue loss that expand over time, leading to more extensive damage to the macula and deeper decline in central vision. Unlike wet AMD, GA does not involve fluid leakage or abnormal blood vessels, but it can be just as impactful on quality of life. GA progresses slowly, but as the atrophic areas grow, they interfere with key visual functions. New treatment options for geographic atrophy are emerging, offering hope for slowing progression and preserving eye health.
If you’ve been diagnosed with any form of macular degeneration, regular eye exams and close monitoring by a retina specialist are essential for timely treatment and care.
What are the Symptoms of Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration often begins with no noticeable symptoms, especially in its early stages. That’s why routine eye exams are so important — early detection gives your ophthalmologist the best chance to monitor changes and recommend appropriate treatment options.
As dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) progresses, patients may begin to notice subtle changes in how they see. These symptoms typically develop gradually and may include:
- Dark or blurry areas in the central vision
- Trouble seeing in low-light settings, such as while reading or driving at night
- Difficulty recognizing faces or distinguishing fine details
- Diminished ability to perceive colors as vividly
- Straight lines that seem distorted or wavy
In cases of wet macular degeneration, symptoms may appear more suddenly. Because this form involves abnormal blood vessels beneath the retina, vision changes can progress quickly — sometimes over just a few days. People with wet AMD may experience:
- A sudden increase in dark or blank spots in their central vision
- Rapid visual distortion, especially with straight lines appearing bent or crooked
- Loss of central vision that makes daily tasks more difficult
Whether you’re noticing gradual changes or sudden disruptions in vision, it’s important to seek care from an ophthalmology practice experienced in diagnosing and treating retinal conditions like AMD. Early evaluation can help preserve your eye health and support long-term visual function.
How is Macular Degeneration Diagnosed?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can develop with few or no symptoms in its early stages, making regular eye exams essential for early detection. Identifying AMD early gives your ophthalmologist the opportunity to create a personalized treatment plan and monitor the condition to help protect your long-term eye health.
Diagnosis typically begins with a comprehensive dilated eye exam, during which the retina and macula are carefully examined for signs of damage, including drusen or changes to the retinal layers. To confirm a diagnosis and determine the type and stage of AMD, additional tests may include:
- Visual acuity test – Measures how well you see at various distances
- Amsler grid test – Checks for distortion in your central vision, such as wavy or missing lines
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) – Uses light waves to create detailed images of the retina and detect thinning or swelling in the macula
- Fluorescein angiography – Involves injecting a dye into the bloodstream to highlight abnormal blood vessels under the retina
- Fundus photography – Captures images of the back of the eye for documentation and monitoring over time
- Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) – Helps assess the health of the retinal pigment epithelium and detect early signs of retinal conditions.
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How is AMD Diagnosed and Treated?
American Academy of Ophthalmology
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If you have a family history of AMD, diabetes, high blood pressure, or other eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy or uveitis, your doctor may recommend more frequent exams to monitor for signs of macular degeneration.
Stages of Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration develops gradually over time, and its stages are classified based on both the presence of physical changes in the retina and any symptoms experienced by the patient. Regular eye exams are essential for identifying which stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) you may be in and guiding appropriate treatment options.
Early Stage AMD
In the early stage of macular degeneration, most people have no noticeable changes in vision. During a dilated eye exam, your ophthalmologist may detect small to medium-sized drusen — yellow deposits that collect beneath the macula. While early AMD may not interfere with daily life, it’s important to monitor closely for any signs of progression.
Intermediate Stage AMD
As AMD advances to the intermediate stage, larger drusen and visible changes in the retinal pigment epithelium may be present. Some patients continue to experience no symptoms, while others may begin to notice difficulty with low-light tasks, trouble recognizing faces, or small gaps in their central vision. At this point, nutritional supplements may be recommended as part of your treatment plan to help slow progression.
Late Stage AMD
In the late stage, AMD results in more serious damage to the macula, potentially due to geographic atrophy or the development of wet AMD. This stage is associated with more significant central vision loss, visual distortions (such as straight lines appearing wavy), and blank spots in your field of vision. These changes can impact reading, driving, and other everyday activities. Management may include anti-VEGF intravitreal injections or participation in clinical trials, depending on the specific type of AMD.
Understanding the stage of your AMD is essential in creating a proactive, personalized approach to preserving your eye health.
What are the Treatment Options for Macular Degeneration?
While there is no cure for macular degeneration, modern ophthalmology offers a growing number of treatment options to help slow the condition’s progression and support long-term eye health. Your treatment plan will depend on the type of AMD, your symptoms, and the stage of the disease.
Treatment for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Most patients are diagnosed with dry AMD, which tends to progress slowly. In earlier stages, your ophthalmologist may recommend lifestyle changes, regular eye exams, and nutritional supplements known as AREDS2. Developed through research by the National Eye Institute, AREDS2 is a specific combination of vitamins and minerals shown to help reduce the risk of progression to late-stage AMD in certain patients.
Valeda™ Light Therapy for Advanced Dry AMD
For more advanced dry AMD, including geographic atrophy, Kovach Eye Institute is proud to offer Valeda Light Therapy — a non-invasive breakthrough in AMD care. Kovach is one of the few practices in the Chicago area using the Valeda Light Delivery System, which uses photobiomodulation (PBM) to stimulate cellular energy, reduce inflammation, and enhance retinal performance. This FDA-authorized treatment is the first of its kind to demonstrate visual improvements for dry AMD during clinical trials.
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FDA Authorizes Light Therapy for Dry AMD
American Academy of Ophthalmology
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Treatment for Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration
In cases of wet AMD, which involves abnormal blood vessels beneath the retina, prompt treatment is critical. The most common and effective approach involves intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF medication. These medications help reduce fluid buildup, slow blood vessel growth, and stabilize vision.
Some patients may also benefit from laser therapy or laser-assisted surgery depending on the specifics of their condition, though these methods are used less frequently.
At Kovach Eye Institute, our retina specialists tailor every treatment plan to the individual patient. From early intervention to advanced therapies like Valeda, we offer state-of-the-art solutions to help protect your vision and quality of life.
FAQs About Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age is the strongest risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — approximately 1 in 3 adults over 75 is affected by intermediate or advanced AMD.
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Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Facts & Figures
BrightFocus Foundation
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Other risk factors include:
- Family history of AMD
Smoking - Obesity or a high-fat diet
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Prolonged sun exposure
- Light-colored eyes or fair skin
- Certain medications
- Lack of exercise or sedentary lifestyle
- Gender — women are slightly more likely to develop AMD
- Genetic factors, such as a variant in complement factor H
If you have multiple risk factors, it’s especially important to schedule regular eye exams to monitor for early signs of macular degeneration.
Macular degeneration cannot be fully prevented, but you may be able to reduce your risk or slow progression by making healthy lifestyle choices. Recommendations include:
- Eating a balanced diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, leafy greens, and antioxidants
- Avoiding tobacco products
- Managing blood pressure and cholesterol
- Protecting your eyes from UV exposure with sunglasses
- Exercising regularly
- Attending routine eye care visits with your ophthalmologist
Early detection through a comprehensive eye exam is one of the most effective tools for preserving eye health.
Although there is no cure for macular degeneration, certain tools and treatments can help maintain your quality of life. These may include:
- Low vision aids such as high-powered reading glasses, magnifiers, or digital viewing systems
- Adjusting lighting and using large-print materials
- Exploring assistive technologies designed for central vision loss
- Personalized treatment plans including AREDS2 supplements, anti-VEGF injections, or Valeda Light Therapy, depending on the type and stage of AMD
Your ophthalmologist can refer you to low vision services and discuss medical treatments that may help preserve remaining vision.
Kovach Eye Institute offers advanced care for age-related macular degeneration, including diagnostic testing, monitoring, and treatments such as anti-VEGF injections, AREDS2-based supplement guidance, and Valeda™ Light Therapy for dry AMD. Our experienced team provides personalized care plans based on the type and stage of AMD, supporting patients at every step of their treatment journey.
Contact Us
If you’ve been diagnosed with macular degeneration or are concerned about changes in your central vision, Kovach Eye Institute is here to help. We offer leading-edge diagnostic tools and treatment options across multiple locations in Chicagoland, including Elmhurst, Naperville, South Barrington, and Lincolnwood.
To learn more about our AMD services or to schedule an appointment, contact us today. Our team will help connect you with the location best suited to your needs.
1 Cleveland Clinic. Retina. Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22694-retina-eye#:~:text=The%20retina%20is%20made%20of,field%20(your%20peripheral%20vision). Accessed May 19, 2025.
2 National Eye Institute. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Data and Statistics. Available: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/resources-for-health-educators/eye-health-data-and-statistics/age-related-macular-degeneration-amd-data-and-statistics Accessed May 19, 2025.
3 American Academy of Ophthalmology. How is AMD Diagnosed and Treated? Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/amd-treatment. Accessed May 19, 2025.
4 American Academy of Ophthalmology. FDA Authorizes Light Therapy for Dry AMD. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/news/light-therapy-photobiomodulation-dry-amd-ga. Accessed May 19, 2025.
5BrightFocus Foundation. Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Facts & Figures. Available: https://www.brightfocus.org/macular/article/age-related-macular-facts-figures. Accessed May 19, 2025.
The doctors at Kovach Eye Institute have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
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