Animation of Wet and Dry Macular Degeneration

There are two basic types of macular degeneration – wet and dry. Approximately 90% of people who have macular degeneration have the dry type. In the dry form, debris from light sensitive cones in the macula is not absorbed as it should be and undigested yellow mounds called drusen are formed causing central vision to become blurry and foggy. Vision loss is gradual but 10% of sufferers may progress to the wet form. Wet macular degeneration is characterized by the formation of new blood vessels in the choroid layer of the retina. These new blood vessels leak fluid or bleed causing a bulge behind the macula and distorting vision. Dried fluid causes scarring and dark blind spots. Vision loss may be rapid and severe. 90% of people with wet macular degeneration will become legally blind. [Quicktime (mov), 56 seconds, 9.96 MB]