The macula is made up of millions of light-sensing cells that help to produce central vision. Ninety percent of all people with AMD have this type. Studies suggest that an area of the retina becomes diseased, leading to the slow breakdown of the light-sensing cells in the macula and a gradual loss of central vision. Because these new blood vessels tend to be very fragile, they will often leak blood and fluid under the macula. This causes rapid damage to the macula that can lead to the loss of central vision in a short period of time.
Macular degeneration is painless.
It usually develops gradually, especially the dry form. With the wet form, symptoms can occur more rapidly. Complete loss of central vision. Peripheral, or side, vision is not affected. The classic early symptom of wet AMD is that straight lines appear crooked.