There are two types of Macular Degeneration or AMD. The first and more common type is the Dry Macular Degeneration. 85% to 90% of the cases of AMD or Age-related macular degeneration are of the dry or atrophic type. It is also a fact that most cases of age-related macular degeneration always starts out as the dry form.

Dry macular degeneration occurs when the RPE or retinal pigment epithelium cells begin to atrophy (deteriorate) and lose their pigment. This deterioration is associated with the formation of small yellow deposits under the macula, known as Drusen. This leads to the contraction and drying out of the macula impairing its main function. Only one eye may be initially affected but in most cases, both eyes eventually become involved.

When people develop dry macular degeneration, the waste disposal system of the RPE or retinal pigment epithelium cells starts to deteriorate and waste starts to accumulate in the RPE. Aging also dramatically contributes to this accumulation. Soon, the normal function of the RPE is disrupted and the light-sensitive cells of the macula begin to degenerate.

Victims with the dry form of Macular Degeneration or AMD may have good central vision, probably 20/40 or better. However, they may experience considerable functional limitations such as difficulty reading, limited vision at night and blurred vision. Others may notice little or no change at all in their vision. However, thinning of the RPE may progress to a point where it totally disappears affecting the overlying cones and rods which may result in complete loss of the central vision.