Dr Bobby Cheng
Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist & Retina Specialist
With extensive fellowship training and decades of clinical experience, Dr Bobby Cheng specialises in complex retinal diseases, macular degeneration, and comprehensive eye care at Cornerstone Eye & Retina Centre in Singapore.
What Is AMD?
Age related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the macula, the small central part of the retina that gives you sharp, detailed sight. It is a common cause of central vision loss in people over 50. AMD does not usually cause full blindness, as your side vision stays. But it can make everyday tasks like reading, driving and recognising faces harder over time. There are two main types of AMD: dry and wet. They are quite different, and each is treated in its own way.
Dry AMD
Dry AMD is the more common type. It comes on slowly. Over time the cells of the macula thin and wear down, and small yellow deposits (called drusen) build up under the retina. Sight usually fades gradually over months or years. There is no injection or operation that reverses dry AMD. Instead, treatment focuses on slowing it down and protecting the sight you have:
- Lifestyle changes - Stopping smoking, wearing sunglasses outdoors and eating plenty of leafy greens, colourful fruit and oily fish can all help.
- Supplements - For moderate or advanced dry AMD, a special vitamin mix (called AREDS2) can lower the risk of it getting worse. Dr Bobby Cheng will advise if this is suitable for you.
- Regular monitoring - Dry AMD can sometimes turn into wet AMD. Regular checks and scans help catch this early.
Wet AMD
Wet AMD is less common but more serious. It happens when tiny abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. These vessels are fragile and leak fluid or blood into the macula. This causes swelling and can damage central sight quickly, sometimes within weeks. A common early sign of wet AMD is straight lines looking wavy or bent. Because it moves fast, wet AMD needs prompt treatment:
- Eye injections (anti-VEGF) - This is the main treatment. Medicine is placed into the eye (called an intravitreal injection) to calm the leaky vessels and reduce swelling. Common medicines include Eylea, Vabysmo and Lucentis. Treatment usually starts monthly, then spaces out as the eye settles.
- Regular scans - A scan called OCT checks the eye and helps decide when the next injection is needed.
Dry vs Wet AMD at a Glance
Why Early Care Matters
Dry AMD can quietly turn into wet AMD without much warning. And with wet AMD, the sooner treatment starts, the better the chance of saving sight. This is why regular eye checks are so important, even if your vision still feels fine. A simple home tool called an Amsler grid can help. It is a grid of straight lines. If the lines start to look wavy, bent or missing, contact your eye doctor.
If you notice blurring or distortion in your central vision, book an eye check with Dr Bobby Cheng today.
Protect Your Eyesight Today
Don't wait for your symptoms to worsen. Get a comprehensive assessment from our specialists to protect your central vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AMD curable?
No. There is no cure for AMD yet, and it cannot reverse damage that has already happened. But treatment can slow it down and protect the sight you have, especially when caught early. Wet AMD in particular responds well to injections when treated promptly.
Will AMD make me go blind?
Not fully. AMD affects your central vision, but your side vision stays. This means most people keep enough sight to move around safely. Without treatment, though, wet AMD can badly damage central sight, making reading and recognising faces very hard.
How often will I need eye injections for wet AMD?
This depends on how your eye responds. Most people start with monthly injections. As the eye settles, Dr Bobby Cheng spaces them out and uses OCT scans to decide the timing. Some people need the injections less often over time, but regular checks are still important.
Do supplements really help?
For moderate or advanced dry AMD, the AREDS2 vitamin mix can lower the risk of it getting worse. It is not a cure, and it is not suitable for everyone or every stage. Dr Bobby Cheng will advise if it is right for you.
Can dry AMD turn into wet AMD?
Yes. Dry AMD can change into wet AMD at any stage, sometimes with no obvious warning. This is why regular checks matter, and why using an Amsler grid at home is helpful for spotting early changes.
How often should I have my eyes checked?
If you have AMD, or are over 50 with a family history of it, a regular eye check is recommended. Regular scans help catch changes early, before they affect your sight.