There are two major forms, the dry form and the wet, or exudative, form. The dry form is much more common, but the wet form is responsible for the vast majority of severe vision loss due to macular degeneration. Few cases of visually impairing macular degeneration occur among persons under the age of 60. After 60, the frequency of this disease rises dramatically with age. Among those 75 and older, more than one-third are affected, with approximately 3 percent having the late stages of the disease.
Macular degeneration is characterized by loss of central vision, usually in both eyes.
The affected individual will find it difficult or impossible to see clearly for either near or distant tasks. In the wet form of the disease, the edges of door frames or other objects may appear bent and distorted. A complete eye examination can determine if, and to what degree, macular degeneration exists. In most cases, there is currently no effective treatment. In approximately 20 percent of exudative or wet cases that are diagnosed early, laser treatment can prevent further loss of vision.