- Medically Reviewed by: Mr Mfazo Hove, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
- Author: Mr Mfazo Hove
- Published: November 8, 2024
- Last Updated: July 16, 2026
In short. Most age-related macular degeneration is dry, which usually progresses slowly. A smaller share is wet, where leaking abnormal vessels can cause rapid central-vision loss. The key practical difference is urgency: dry AMD is monitored, while wet AMD needs prompt anti-VEGF treatment. Any sudden distortion should be assessed quickly.
The Blue Fin Vision® Rapid Medical Retina Pathway
- Prompt consultant-led assessment
- OCT imaging
- Diagnosis: wet AMD, dry AMD, RVO, CRVO or another retinal cause
- Intravitreal injection where appropriate
- Communication with your GP and optometrist on blood pressure, diabetes and vascular risk
- Ongoing monitoring, with escalation to Professor Mahmut Dogramaci, Consultant Vitreoretinal Surgeon, where needed
Wet AMD vs Dry AMD: The Key Differences at a Glance
Feature | Dry AMD | Wet AMD |
|---|---|---|
Share of cases | About 85 to 90% | About 10 to 15% |
Typical speed | Gradual, over years | Sudden or rapid |
Symptoms | Slow reading difficulty, mild central blur | Distortion, missing letters, a central dark patch |
OCT finding | Drusen or atrophy | Fluid, bleeding or active leakage |
Main action | Monitor, risk reduction, supplements in selected cases | Urgent macula assessment and anti-VEGF if active |
Both are forms of the same disease of the macula¹. Dry AMD is far more common and usually progresses slowly². Wet AMD is less common but accounts for much of the severe, rapid sight loss, because leaking vessels can damage central vision quickly¹.
What Causes Each Type
Both types start with ageing changes at the macula and the build-up of drusen, and both become more common with age³. In dry AMD, the light-sensing cells and their support layer slowly thin and are lost; in advanced dry AMD this becomes geographic atrophy, well-defined patches where central vision fades². In wet AMD, the same background changes trigger the release of VEGF and the growth of leaking new vessels, which is why it can progress quickly¹.
How Each Progresses Over Time
Dry AMD usually develops over years and may stay mild, but intermediate dry AMD carries a real risk of progressing to advanced disease, either geographic atrophy or a conversion to wet AMD¹. Any sudden distortion in someone with dry AMD is therefore treated as possible wet AMD until proven otherwise. Where wet AMD develops, anti-VEGF injections can preserve and often improve vision⁴ ⁵, and treatment is monitored long term because activity can recur and injections may be needed over years⁶.
If you or a relative has wet AMD
Wet AMD is treatable, and prompt treatment protects vision. Our medical retina service offers rapid-access OCT assessment and, where appropriate, anti-VEGF injection treatment and ongoing monitoring. Dry AMD that suddenly changes, with new distortion, should be reassessed urgently, as it can convert to wet AMD.
Risk Factors and Prevention
The strongest risk factors are increasing age, genetics and smoking, with cardiovascular health and diet contributing too². Not smoking, a diet rich in leafy greens and fish, blood-pressure control and ultraviolet protection all support macular health. For intermediate dry AMD, a specific supplement formula can reduce the risk of progression to advanced disease⁷, though it does not help early AMD or replace treatment for wet AMD. Supplements are not a treatment for wet AMD and should not delay urgent assessment for new distortion.
How It Is Diagnosed
OCT, a quick and painless scan, is central to distinguishing dry from wet AMD and to monitoring change. At Blue Fin Vision®, rapid-access OCT means a sudden change can be assessed quickly, so that wet AMD is not missed. Anti-VEGF treatment, when needed, is delivered at The Harley Street Eye Centre, our dedicated London setting for private intravitreal injection care, with selected hospital sites available where clinically appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dry AMD less serious than wet AMD?
Dry AMD usually progresses more slowly, but it can advance and can convert to wet AMD¹. Any sudden change should be assessed promptly.
Can dry AMD turn into wet AMD?
Yes. That is why new distortion or a sudden central vision change in someone with dry AMD should be checked urgently.
Do supplements prevent AMD?
They do not prevent AMD, but a specific formula can slow progression in intermediate dry AMD⁷. Ask your specialist whether they are appropriate for you.
What is the single most useful thing I can do?
Stop smoking and seek prompt assessment for any sudden distortion². Early treatment of wet AMD protects vision.
For a sudden change in central vision, or to understand your AMD, book a medical retina assessment with OCT imaging.
Related Pages
References
- Mitchell P, Liew G, Gopinath B, Wong TY. Age-related macular degeneration. Lancet. 2018;392(10153):1147-1159.
- Fleckenstein M, Keenan TDL, Guymer RH, Chakravarthy U, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Klaver CC, Wong WT, Chew EY. Age-related macular degeneration. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021;7(1):31.
- Wong WL, Su X, Li X, Cheung CMG, Klein R, Cheng CY, Wong TY. Global prevalence of age-related macular degeneration and disease burden projection for 2020 and 2040: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2014;2(2):e106-e116.
- Martin DF, Maguire MG, Ying GS, Grunwald JE, Fine SL, Jaffe GJ; Comparison of Age-related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials (CATT) Research Group. Ranibizumab and bevacizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. N Engl J Med. 2011;364(20):1897-1908.
- Rosenfeld PJ, Brown DM, Heier JS, Boyer DS, Kaiser PK, Chung CY, Kim RY. Ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. N Engl J Med. 2006;355(14):1419-1431.
- Comparison of Age-related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials (CATT) Research Group. Ranibizumab and bevacizumab for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration: two-year results. Ophthalmology. 2012;119(7):1388-1398.
- Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group. Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2013;309(19):2005-2015.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mr Mfazo Hove
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
MBChB MD FRCOphth CertLRS
Mr Mfazo Hove is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon with experience spanning more than 57,000 procedures. He completed 6.5 years of specialist training at Moorfields Eye Hospital and served for five years as a consultant at the Western Eye Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. He is the founder of Blue Fin Vision®, a consultant-led private ophthalmology practice operating across London, Essex, and Hertfordshire. His clinical expertise encompasses advanced cataract surgery, refractive lens replacement, laser vision correction, and implantable Collamer lenses (ICL).
A ZEISS Key Opinion Leader, Mr Hove is a respected international speaker with five invited engagements across seven cities in 2026:
- ZEISS China tour (Changsha, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, April – ZEISS APAC User Meeting)
- RCOphth Annual Congress – May – Manchester
- ZEISS EMEA User Meeting (Istanbul)
- ZEISS Lausanne User Meeting (Lausanne)
- European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons Annual Congress (ESCRS, London)
