Macular degeneration is a condition that occurs when the macula, the part of the retina responsible for clear central vision, begins to deteriorate. This can lead to blurry or distorted vision, leading to difficulty with reading or seeing in low lighting. If you are experiencing vision issues like this, it’s important to see an eye doctor as soon as possible to get effective treatment.

Here are the early warning symptoms of macular degeneration:

1. Difficulty reading or seeing details in low light levels
Macular degeneration can affect your ability to read and do other detailed activities. People with macular degeneration often complain of difficulty reading in dimly lit environments or in the evenings. In general, people with normal vision can see small print if the letters reflect sufficient light to create a well-defined image on the retina. In contrast, people with macular degeneration have trouble seeing even well-lit images because of damage to the macula.

2. Extra sensitivity to glare
This symptom occurs due to the loss of contrast sensitivity as a result of macular degeneration. Glare can make your vision worse by interfering with light-sensitive cells in the retinas, making it harder for them to process images. Individuals with this symptom report that they would often notice how brightly lit rooms were, and how the light bothered their eyes. Sensitivity to light has been associated with having small fatty deposits on the front of the eye between nerve layers and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). These deposits particularly affect someone’s ability to transition from a dark to light environment.

3. Blurred or fuzzy vision
As macular degeneration progresses, it affects your ability to see clearly. One of the hallmark symptoms of macular degeneration is having blurry vision or seeing fuzzy spots in your central field of vision. However, sometimes, people with macular degeneration may not notice any changes until the condition has progressed further. Many patients likewise experience blurry areas on a printed page, and thus have a difficult time reading books or words on a computer screen. As a result, individuals may give up reading and writing, or even quit their jobs if their role requires a lot of reading.

4. Straight lines appearing wavy or distorted
Vision loss from macular degeneration may also make it difficult to see straight lines. The edges of objects might appear rounded or wavy rather than sharp and straight. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see an eye doctor as soon as possible. The sooner the macular degeneration is diagnosed, the more effective treatment will be.

Macular degeneration isn’t completely curable, but macular degeneration needle treatment is one option. This treatment is designed to slow vision loss in individuals with wet AMD who still have some vision, via the injection of anti-VEGF medication into each affected eye. Depending on the severity of the macular degeneration, treatments can help preserve straight-ahead vision.