Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Key points

• AMD: commonest cause of visual loss in the elderly; drusen (yellow macular deposits) in early disease.
• Dry (atrophic) AMD: gradual central visual loss — no effective treatment; AREDS supplements may slow progression.
• Wet (neovascular) AMD: rapid central distortion/loss (metamorphopsia) — choroidal neovascularisation; intravitreal anti-VEGF (ranibizumab/aflibercept).
• Amsler grid detects early metamorphopsia; smoking is the main modifiable risk factor.

Decision points in this pathway

• Rapid central distortion (metamorphopsia)?

The full step-by-step algorithm, including what to do at each branch, opens in the app for approved members.