Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of permanent sight loss in the UK. People aged 55 and over are particularly at risk, yet many don’t know the warning signs.
February is AMD Awareness Month and is the perfect time to educate and encourage proactive eye care. This condition impacts more than 700,000 people in the UK1, including Dame Judi Dench.
AMD Awareness Month 2026
To mark AMD Awareness Month, we are encouraging people to prioritise their routine eye examinations and pay attention to any changes in their vision.
Though slight deterioration of vision can be a normal part of aging, changes in vision should always be monitored closely.
AMD Symptoms
AMD develops gradually, meaning it often goes unnoticed int he early stages.
Symptoms may include:
- Blurred or distorted area in the centre of your vision
- Darkened area in the centre of your vision
- Seeing straight lines as wavy or crooked
- Sensitivity to bright lights
- Seeing flickering or flashing lights
- Seeing things that are not there
AMD doesn’t impact the appearance of your eyes and does not cause pain.
Our Clinical Services Director, Dr Stephen Hannan, says:
“AMD affects the macula, which is the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision and colour perception. When the macula starts to deteriorate, small yellow deposits known as drusen form beneath the retina. This means it can become increasingly difficult to see clearly straight ahead, making everyday activities such as reading, driving or recognising faces more challenging over time.
“Because there’s no pain or dramatic vision loss, many people don’t realise they’re experiencing AMD until it progresses to the later stages and starts to interfere with daily life.
“As AMD advances, damage to the macula becomes more pronounced and can’t be restored, which is why routine eye examinations are so crucial in identifying minor changes before significant vision loss occurs.”
Lifestyle factors in AMD development
Age is a factor when it comes to AMD, but there are other lifestyle factors that can increase your risk of developing Age-related Macular Degeneration including:
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- Having high blood pressure
- Having a diet high in saturated fats (such as meat, butter and cheese)
- A family history of AMD
- Having heart disease
Detecting AMD early
Regular eye examinations are vital in proactive eye care as they can detect changes in the eyes before symptoms start to show.
Early detection means better management of AMD and better outcomes. Sight loss from AMD isn’t a normal part of ageing, it’s a medical condition that requires assessment and ongoing care.
Keep up to date with your routine eye examinations and book your next appointment online now.
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