Physical changes are a normal byproduct of aging. Gray hairs and less elastic skin that contributes to wrinkles may be among the more notable physical signs of aging, but older individuals also may note their vision is not what it once was.

Diminished vision can be a byproduct of various conditions. Aging individuals who have noticed a loss of vision may be dealing with age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. Seniors concerned by AMD can learn about the condition so they’re well-positioned to manage it if and when they need to.

What is AMD?

The National Eye Institute notes that AMD is an eye disease that is the leading cause of vision loss for older adults. In fact, Johns Hopkins Medicine notes age is the most common cause of severe loss of eyesight among people 50 and older. The NEI notes that aging causes damage to the macula, which is the part of the eye that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision. When a person has AMD, his or her central vision is blurred.

What happens when a person has AMD?

Because AMD blurs the central vision, people who develop the disease may struggle to recognize faces, read, drive, or engage in activities that require close-up work, including cooking or fixing things around the house.

Are all cases of AMD the same?

The NEI notes that AMD happens very slowly in some people and faster in others. Some people may not recognize they have vision loss even when they already have early AMD. In addition, there are two types of AMD:

--Dry AMD: Dry AMD is the most common type of the disease and occurs as the macula gets thinner with age. Dry AMD progresses slowly over several years, and occurs in three stages: early, intermediate and late.

--Wet AMD: Wet AMD is a less common form of late AMD that the NEI notes typically causes faster vision loss. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow in the back of the eye and damage the macula. Wet AMD is treatable.

Does AMD produce symptoms?

AMD produces different symptoms depending on the stage of the disease. Early dry AMD does not cause any symptoms, and the NEI notes some people with intermediate dry AMD may not experience symptoms. Those who do may notice symptoms such as mild blurriness in their central vision or difficulty seeing in low lighting. Late wet or dry AMD patients may notice that straight lines are beginning to look wavy or crooked and there may be a blurry area near the center of their vision. That blurriness can grow larger over time and people may begin to see blank spots. Colors also may seem less bright and people may have difficulty seeing in low lighting.

Who is at risk for AMD?

The NEI notes that adults over 55 are more likely to have AMD than any other group. People with a family history of AMD, Caucasians and smokers also have a higher risk of developing AMD. Quitting smoking, getting regular physical activity, maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and eating a healthy diet that includes leafy greens and fish are some ways people can lower their AMD risk.

AMD is most common among individuals over 50. More information is available at nei.nih.gov.