You can tell the difference by where your vision is affected: Cataracts cause overall haziness, glare, and halos (like looking through fog) by clouding the lens, affecting all vision. Macular degeneration (AMD) damages central vision, causing dark spots, blurriness in the center, and wavy straight lines (like a missing piece of a puzzle), while peripheral vision stays clear.
Symptoms
Symptoms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
While cataracts don't affect your brain, headaches can develop from the stress they cause. As your vision gradually declines, your eyes will begin to strain in an attempt to clear your vision. The straining of your vision can cause more symptoms, including headaches.
Blurry Vision
Blurry vision from a cataract will progress over time, causing you to feel like you're looking through a foggy car window. This can impact your everyday life, especially while driving or reading.
Additionally, if you already have cataracts, these vitamins and nutrients may slow their progression.
A red flag for macular degeneration includes symptoms such as blurred or distorted central vision, dark spots or shadows in the central vision, and difficulty recognizing faces or reading.
These include macular holes, epiretinal membrane (also known as macular pucker), vitreomacular traction syndrome, retinal detachment, central serous chorioretinopathy and others. Some of these conditions can be managed with surgery, some with injections and others may only require monitoring.
Amsler Grid to Test Your Sight
Blurred or cloudy vision, fading colours, finding lights too bright or glaring, can all be symptoms of developing cataracts. Many people with cataracts realise they may have a problem when they are struggling to read, see their screen, recognise faces, or drive at night.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma
While the average age for cataract surgery is around 65–70, many patients undergo the procedure earlier, depending on their needs. The surgery itself is quick, often just 15 minutes per eye, and while cataract surgery recovery may take several weeks, most patients enjoy clearer vision within days.
Several studies have shown that in people who have significant cataracts and late stage AMD, cataract surgery can produce major improvements in overall quality of life, even if central vision is not improved.
The optometrist at your local optician's practice can test sight, prescribe glasses and check for eye disease. Some optometrists use photography or other imaging to detect early signs of macular degeneration. These might include optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans which create cross-sectional images of the retina.
What is the best way to treat cataracts? Cataract surgery is the only way to remove cataracts and restore your clear vision. During cataract surgery, an ophthalmologist removes your clouded natural lens and replaces it with an intraocular lens (IOL). An IOL is an artificial lens that permanently stays in your eye.
The FDA approved photobiomodulation (the Valeda Light Delivery System) in 2024 for dry AMD. This non-invasive therapy uses red and near-infrared light to boost cellular energy and improve retinal function. Studies show it can slow disease progression and, in some cases, improve vision.
Cataracts change the way you see the world. This can sometimes lead to dizziness, feeling off balance, or even trouble walking normally.
While the two conditions share similar symptoms, the main difference is that macular degeneration causes dark areas to appear in the center of your vision. Cataracts and glaucoma also exhibit similar symptoms, such as blurred vision, halos around lights, and reduced night vision, complicating accurate diagnosis.
A: While macular degeneration is more common in older adults, it can start developing as early as age 40. Dry AMD may begin between 35 to 44 years old, though it's most common after 50. Wet AMD typically occurs in those 75 and older but can develop earlier if dry AMD is present.
AMD can make it unsafe for you to drive. Ask your specialist if they think you should stop driving. You're required by law to tell the DVLA about your condition if it: affects both eyes.
Patients suffering from intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may benefit from specific vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin E, copper (cupric oxide), zinc, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which can help reduce the risk of vision loss from advanced age-related macular degeneration.
What are the most important vitamins for eye health?
When your prescription glasses can't clear your vision, the only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery.
In rare cases, cataracts can worsen faster due to other eye conditions, such as diabetes-related changes or inflammation in the eye. That's why it's important to have regular eye exams, especially as you get older.