What are the two forms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition that affects central vision and comes in two main forms: dry AMD and wet AMD.

Dry AMD: The more common form, accounting for about 80-90% of cases. It progresses slowly and is caused by the gradual thinning of the macula.
Wet AMD: Less common but more serious, this form can cause rapid and severe vision loss due to abnormal blood vessel growth under the retina.

Early detection is critical to protecting your vision. Because AMD symptoms—like blurred central vision, distorted lines, or difficulty recognizing faces—can overlap with other eye conditions, understanding what you're experiencing is an important first step. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand your symptoms and confidently navigate your next steps toward care.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn if AMD symptoms need care now Discover likely causes of vision changes See if it could be age-related macular degeneration Find OTC options for vision support Find a retinal specialist near you Learn home remedies for macular degeneration Understand your vision symptoms with a check

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Explanation

Age-related macular degeneration can be split into two main types:

Dry AMD:
Wet AMD:

Understanding the difference between these two types is important because their treatments and the way they affect your vision are not the same. Dry AMD usually gets worse over time in a milder way, while wet AMD often causes rapid vision changes that need treatments to help slow down the damage. If you're experiencing any vision changes or eye-related symptoms, you can use a free symptom checker to better understand your condition. Remember, this information is for education, and discussing any eye concerns with an eye care professional is important.

(References)

Thomas CJ, Mirza RG, Gill MK. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Med Clin North Am. 2021 May;105(3):473-491. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2021.01.003. Epub 2021 Apr 2. PMID: 33926642.
Deng Y, Qiao L, Du M, Qu C, Wan L, Li J, Huang L. Age-related macular degeneration: Epidemiology, genetics, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and targeted therapy. Genes Dis. 2021 Feb 27;9(1):62-79. doi: 10.1016/j.gendis.2021.02.009. PMID: 35005108; PMCID: PMC8720701.
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.

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