There is no surgery for dry AMD — care focuses on monitoring, slowing progression and protecting the vision you have. Proven AREDS2 supplements, stopping smoking and a macula-friendly diet can reduce the risk of progression, while regular OCT scans and home monitoring catch any change — including conversion to treatable wet AMD — early, when action protects the most sight.
What is dry AMD?
Age-related macular degeneration affects the macula, the central part of the retina that gives you sharp, detailed vision. Dry AMD is the more common, slowly progressive form, caused by ageing changes and the build-up of deposits called drusen. Over years it can lead to thinning and loss of macular cells (geographic atrophy), causing gradual loss of central vision while peripheral vision is preserved.
Dry AMD does not currently have a routine surgical or injection cure, but it is far from “nothing can be done.” Close monitoring, risk-reduction and early detection of wet AMD are genuinely sight-protecting. Learn more about dry AMD as a condition and macular degeneration overall.
Managing dry AMD
Newer treatments for advanced dry AMD (geographic atrophy) are emerging and assessed case by case at specialist review. Related: macular degeneration, wet AMD.
What an assessment involves
A macular assessment is straightforward and non-invasive. Your retinal specialist examines the macula, and an OCT scan takes detailed cross-sectional images of the retina to measure drusen and any atrophy. Drops may be used to widen the pupil for a thorough view. There is nothing to recover from — the value is in the detailed picture it gives and the personalised plan that follows.
You will usually be given an Amsler grid or shown how to home-monitor your central vision, so you can detect sudden distortion — a possible sign of wet AMD — between appointments and seek prompt review.
Want a clear picture of your macula and a plan to protect your sight? Book an assessment.
Book a macular assessmentOngoing care and protecting your vision
Regular monitoring
Follow-up OCT scans at intervals set by your specialist track any change. Most dry AMD progresses slowly, so steady monitoring is reassuring and keeps you a step ahead.
Home checks
Check each eye separately with an Amsler grid. Contact the clinic promptly if straight lines look wavy, a new blur or dark patch appears, or colours seem faded — these can signal a switch to wet AMD.
Living well
Stopping smoking, eating a diet rich in leafy greens and fish, protecting your eyes from UV, and using good lighting and low-vision aids all help you make the most of your vision.
How much does dry AMD care cost?
A macular consultation with OCT imaging is from £240, and follow-up monitoring visits are priced per appointment. There is no surgical fee because dry AMD is managed medically rather than operated on. AREDS2 supplements are bought separately over the counter. Your specialist will set out a clear monitoring schedule and costs. See the full price list or request a personalised quote below.
Dry AMD FAQs
What is dry AMD?
Dry age-related macular degeneration is the common, slowly progressive form of AMD. Ageing changes and deposits called drusen build up at the macula, and over years this can thin and damage central vision while peripheral vision is preserved. It is the more gradual counterpart to wet AMD.
Can dry AMD be cured or treated?
There is no routine surgical or injection cure for dry AMD, but it is far from untreatable. Close monitoring, AREDS2 supplements for suitable patients, stopping smoking and a macula-friendly diet can slow progression, and early detection of any switch to wet AMD allows sight-saving treatment. Newer therapies for advanced dry AMD are emerging.
What are AREDS2 supplements?
AREDS2 is a specific combination of vitamins and minerals shown in large studies to reduce the risk of progression in people with intermediate or advanced AMD. They are not a cure and are not recommended for everyone — your specialist advises whether they are appropriate for your stage of AMD.
Can dry AMD turn into wet AMD?
Yes. A proportion of people with dry AMD go on to develop wet AMD, in which leaking blood vessels grow under the macula. Because wet AMD is treatable and time-sensitive, regular monitoring and home checks with an Amsler grid are important so any change is caught and treated early.
How can I protect my vision with dry AMD?
Stopping smoking is the single most important step. A diet rich in leafy green vegetables and fish, protecting your eyes from UV light, attending monitoring appointments, and checking your vision at home all help. If you are advised AREDS2 supplements, take them as recommended.
How much does a dry AMD assessment cost?
A macular consultation with OCT imaging is from £240, with follow-up monitoring visits priced per appointment. There is no surgical fee because dry AMD is managed medically. AREDS2 supplements are bought separately over the counter, and your specialist will set out a clear monitoring schedule and costs.