Eye condition

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

AMD affects the macula – the point of sharpest vision at the centre of the retina. Reading, recognising faces and seeing detail suffer, while peripheral vision is usually preserved. A distinction is made between a dry (slow) and a wet (rapidly progressing) form.

Anatomical illustration: retinal layers, on the left with drusen in dry AMD, on the right with new vessels and fluid in wet AMD

Schematic illustration for explanation – medical approval required.

Typical symptoms

Distorted vision – straight lines such as door frames or tile joints appear wavy
A grey, blurred or dark patch at the centre of vision
Reading becomes increasingly difficult despite suitable glasses, more light is needed
Colours appear duller, faces blur in the middle

Many people do not notice early changes – the second eye compensates for the loss for a long time. AMD often only becomes apparent once the centre of vision is clearly affected.

How we examine

Retinal examination with dilated pupils, OCT (shows the macular layers in cross-section and makes fluid visible), fundus photography to document progression and – if new vessel growth is suspected – fluorescein angiography.

How we treat

We treat wet AMD with anti-VEGF injections into the eye at our macula centre – exclusively at the Stadtmitte location. In the dry form, regular monitoring, risk reduction and advice are the priority.

To the matching treatment →

When you should act quickly

Newly occurring distorted vision, a new patch in the centre of the image or a sudden deterioration in reading: please have this assessed within a few days – in wet AMD, timing determines the outcome.