Worried about your symptoms?
Start the Age-Related Macular Degeneration test with our free AI Symptom Checker.
This will help us personalize your assessment.
By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Reduced vision in one or both eyes
Blurry vision
A partial loss of vision
Straight lines seem bent
Distorted vision
Blind spots in vision
Darkened vision
Need brighter light when reading
I can't see from one eye
Eye problems
My eyesight is deteriorating
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
An eye condition that causes a "hole in the center" when looking at things. It is caused by damage to the central retina (sensing layer of the eye). Causes include aging, smoking, and genetics.
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
There are several treatment options, depending on the type of degeneration. These include injections given directly into the eye or shining strong lights into the back of the eye to destroy abnormal cells. There may be no treatment for certain types of this condition.
Chat with a doctor for FREE
Connect with our doctors at no charge to discuss your AMD journey.
Kenji Taylor, MD
Family Medicine, Primary Care Roots Community Health Center, Hippo Education, Kameda Medical Center
Reviewed By:
Ami Shah Vira, MD (Ophthalmology)
Dr. Shah Vira grew up in Arizona. She moved to Chicago to complete a combined engineering and medical program at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and Chicago Medical School. She completed a highly competitive two year dual fellowship in Neuro-ophthalmology and Oculoplastic at the highly regarded Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Shah Vira specializes in surgical correction of the eyelids and eyebrows, eyelid malposition and tumors, excessive tearing, and conditions involving the orbit.
Masashi Mimura, MD (Ophthalmology)
Dr. Mimura Graduated from the Osaka Medical College and obtained his ophthalmologist certification in 2007. He opened an outpatient clinic for oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery at Osaka Kaijo Hospital. Subsequently, he was appointed as the assistant professor at the Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka Medical College, in 2014. He then served an international fellowship at the Department of Ophthalmology/Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery, California State University, San Diego. Since then, he has been appointed as Lecturer in the Departments of Ophthalmology at Osaka Medical College and Toho University Medical Center Sakura Hospital. Dr. Mimura is currently the Director of Oculofacial Clinic Osaka, where he specializes in Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Content updated on Feb 19, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
Was this page helpful?
We would love to help them too.
With a free 3-min Age-Related Macular Degeneration quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
See full list
Q.
What Is Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) ?
A.
Neovascular AMD, also called wet AMD, is a type of eye disease that happens when new, abnormal blood vessels grow under the part of your eye that helps you see fine details.
References:
Pugazhendhi A, Hubbell M, Jairam P, Ambati B. Neovascular Macular Degeneration: A Review of Etiology, Risk Factors, and Recent Advances in Research and Therapy. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jan 25;22(3):1170. doi: 10.3390/ijms22031170. PMID: 33504013; PMCID: PMC7866170.
Ricci F, Bandello F, Navarra P, Staurenghi G, Stumpp M, Zarbin M. Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Therapeutic Management and New-Upcoming Approaches. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Nov 3;21(21):8242. doi: 10.3390/ijms21218242. PMID: 33153227; PMCID: PMC7662479.
Shao J, Choudhary MM, Schachat AP. Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Dev Ophthalmol. 2016;55:125-36. doi: 10.1159/000438969. Epub 2015 Oct 26. PMID: 26501146.
Q.
How Can I Prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) ?
A.
You can lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by living a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, and protecting your eyes from too much sunlight. For those with early changes, antioxidant vitamins and minerals may help slow the disease’s progression.
References:
Singh N, Srinivasan S, Muralidharan V, Roy R, V J, Raman R. Prevention of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2017 Nov-Dec;6(6):520-526. doi: 10.22608/APO.2017416. PMID: 29204995.
Evans JR, Lawrenson JG. Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Jul 31;7(7):CD000254. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000254.pub4. Update in: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Sep 13;9:CD000254. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000254.pub5. PMID: 28756618; PMCID: PMC6483465.
Rein DB, Wittenborn JS, Burke-Conte Z, Gulia R, Robalik T, Ehrlich JR, Lundeen EA, Flaxman AD. Prevalence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the US in 2019. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2022 Dec 1;140(12):1202-1208. doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2022.4401. PMID: 36326752; PMCID: PMC9634594.
Evans JR, Lawrenson JG. Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Sep 13;9(9):CD000254. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000254.pub5. PMID: 37702300; PMCID: PMC10498493.
Q.
What Is Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?
A.
Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a serious eye condition that causes rapid vision loss in the center of your sight due to leaky blood vessels growing under the central part of the retina.
References:
Hobbs SD, Tripathy K, Pierce K. Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). 2024 Aug 11. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. PMID: 34283513.
Q.
How Common Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?
A.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye condition in older adults. Studies show that many millions of Americans, especially those over 60, are affected by AMD.
References:
Rein DB, Wittenborn JS, Burke-Conte Z, Gulia R, Robalik T, Ehrlich JR, Lundeen EA, Flaxman AD. Prevalence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the US in 2019. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2022 Dec 1;140(12):1202-1208. doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2022.4401. PMID: 36326752; PMCID: PMC9634594.
Fleckenstein M, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Chakravarthy U. Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Review. JAMA. 2024 Jan 9;331(2):147-157. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.26074. PMID: 38193957.
Q.
When Does Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Start?
A.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) mainly begins in older adults, with early signs typically emerging after the age of 50. As people get older, the risk of developing AMD increases.
References:
Pugazhendhi A, Hubbell M, Jairam P, Ambati B. Neovascular Macular Degeneration: A Review of Etiology, Risk Factors, and Recent Advances in Research and Therapy. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jan 25;22(3):1170. doi: 10.3390/ijms22031170. PMID: 33504013; PMCID: PMC7866170.
Ricci F, Bandello F, Navarra P, Staurenghi G, Stumpp M, Zarbin M. Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Therapeutic Management and New-Upcoming Approaches. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Nov 3;21(21):8242. doi: 10.3390/ijms21218242. PMID: 33153227; PMCID: PMC7662479.
Shao J, Choudhary MM, Schachat AP. Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Dev Ophthalmol. 2016;55:125-36. doi: 10.1159/000438969. Epub 2015 Oct 26. PMID: 26501146.
Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.
“World’s Best Digital
Health Companies”
Newsweek 2024
“Best With AI”
Google Play Best of 2023
“Best in Class”
Digital Health Awards 2023 (Quarterfinalist)
Which is the best Symptom Checker?
Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1Mitchell P, Liew G, Gopinath B, Wong TY (2020). Age-related macular degeneration. Lancet (London, England).
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30303083/Guymer RH, Campbell TG (2021). Age-related macular degeneration. Lancet (London, England).
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36996856/Keenan TDL, Cukras CA, Chew EY (2021). Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Epidemiology and Clinical Aspects. Advances in experimental medicine and biology.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33847996/