What is the hallmark symptom of dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

The hallmark symptom of dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is slow, gradual vision loss. In dry AMD, the degradation of the retinal pigment epithelium leads to the gradual accumulation of drusen and geographic atrophy in the macula, resulting in subtle and progressive changes in vision over time. Patients typically notice a gradual blurring of central vision, which makes tasks like reading more difficult. This slow onset of symptoms distinguishes dry AMD from other conditions that may cause rapid vision changes, which would not be characteristic of this type of macular degeneration. Understanding this progression is crucial for early diagnosis and management strategies in clinical practice.