Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.

An ophthalmologist (an eye doctor) diagnoses and treats AMD. A retina specialist (an eye doctor who focuses on the back of the eye) often treats it too. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that can blur your central vision. Central vision is what you use to see details straight ahead. AMD happens when aging damages the macula. The macula is part of the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye) and it controls sharp, straight-ahead vision. AMD is a leading cause of vision loss for older adults. It does not cause complete blindness. But losing central vision can make it harder to see faces, read, or drive.

Symptoms

Early AMD usually causes no symptoms. As it gets worse, signs can include:

  • Straight lines that look wavy or crooked. This is a warning sign of late AMD, so see your eye doctor right away if you notice it.
  • A blurry or blank spot near the center of your vision. It may get bigger over time.
  • Colors that seem less bright than before.
  • Trouble seeing in low lighting.

Dry AMD often gets worse slowly over several years. Wet AMD usually causes faster vision loss.

Causes and who gets it

Health care providers are not sure what causes AMD. The risk goes up with age, and people 55 and older are more likely to have it. Other risk factors include a family history of AMD, being White, being female, cigarette smoking, and a high-fat diet. Late AMD can happen in one or both eyes. Having late AMD in one eye puts you at higher risk in the other eye.

How doctors diagnose it

Eye doctors check for AMD during a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Drops widen (dilate) the pupil so the doctor can look at the retina, blood vessels, and optic nerve. The doctor looks for changes in the macula and for drusen, which are small yellow deposits. You may cover one eye and look at an Amsler grid, a pattern of lines. If straight lines look wavy, it may be a sign of AMD. Other tests include optical coherence tomography (OCT), which takes pictures of the inside of the eye with light waves, and fluorescein angiography, which uses a special dye and a camera to look at blood flow in the retina.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type and stage. Quitting smoking, regular exercise, and eating healthy foods can help. For intermediate AMD, dietary supplements with vitamins and minerals may lower the chance of it turning into late AMD. The mix is often called the AREDS formula. Only take it if your eye doctor recommends it, and smokers should not use it. For wet AMD, anti-VEGF drugs are medicines injected into the eye that prevent new blood vessels from forming. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) combines injections and laser treatment to destroy leaking blood vessels. In 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an eye injection called Izervay (avacincaptad pegol) for geographic atrophy (GA), a damaged area that comes with AMD. It slows the growth of the damaged area. Its most common side effects include bleeding on the surface of the eye, higher pressure inside the eye, and blurred vision. Low-vision aids and vision rehab can help you use the vision you have.

When to see a doctor

See your eye doctor right away if straight lines start to look wavy. Central vision loss can happen quickly. If that happens, you need to be seen right away by an ophthalmologist, preferably a retina specialist. If you are 55 or older or have risk factors for AMD, get regular dilated eye exams, because early AMD has no symptoms.

How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in

A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can handle your routine care and follow-up and remind you about eye exams. They can also help you keep track of visits with your eye doctor.

Common questions

What is the difference between dry and wet AMD?

Dry AMD happens when the macula gets thinner with age, and most people with AMD have the dry type. It usually gets worse slowly over years. Wet AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula and leak blood and fluid. It is less common but causes faster vision loss.

Can AMD cause complete blindness?

No. AMD does not cause complete blindness. But losing central vision can make it harder to see faces, read, drive, or do close-up work like cooking or fixing things around the house.

Can vitamins or supplements help AMD?

If you have intermediate AMD, dietary supplements with vitamins and minerals may lower the chance of it turning into late AMD. Only take them if your eye doctor recommends it. Smokers should not use the AREDS formula.

Does AMD affect both eyes?

Late AMD can happen in one or both eyes. Having late AMD in one eye puts you at higher risk of late AMD in your other eye.

Sources

  1. National Eye Institute - Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
  2. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia - Age-related macular degeneration
  3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration - Drug Trials Snapshots: IZERVAY

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.