What is age-related macular degeneration?
AMD damages the macula, the small central area of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision used for reading and recognising faces. 'Dry' AMD progresses slowly over years; 'wet' AMD is caused by fragile new blood vessels leaking under the retina and can damage sight within weeks. AMD mainly affects people over 60, and risk rises with age, smoking and family history. It never causes total blindness, as peripheral vision is spared.
An optometrist can detect early AMD during a routine eye test using retinal photography, and suspected wet AMD should be referred urgently. Hospital diagnosis relies on an OCT scan, a painless cross-sectional image of the retina, sometimes with dye-based imaging, to distinguish wet from dry disease and guide treatment.
Common symptoms
- Blurring of central vision
- Straight lines appearing wavy or distorted
- A dark or empty patch in the centre of vision
- Colours seeming less vivid
- Difficulty reading or recognising faces
- Needing brighter light for close work
How long will you wait?
Suspected wet AMD is treated as urgent on the NHS, with assessment and first injection usually within one to two weeks of referral, though routine dry AMD reviews and busy injection clinics can face longer delays.
Privately, you can typically see a retinal specialist within 2–5 days, with OCT scanning on the day and injection treatment started immediately if wet AMD is confirmed.
NHS England median referral-to-treatment wait: 12.4 weeks, with 2.5 million people waiting over 18 weeks (May 2026). Individual waits vary by trust and urgency.
Treatment options
- Anti-VEGF injections. For wet AMD, regular injections of drugs such as aflibercept or ranibizumab into the eye stop leaky vessels and preserve — sometimes improve — vision.
- Nutritional supplements (AREDS2 formula). Specific vitamin and mineral supplements can slow progression in intermediate dry AMD.
- Low-vision aids and rehabilitation. Magnifiers, lighting and support services help people make the most of remaining vision.
- Photodynamic therapy. A light-activated drug treatment occasionally used for particular subtypes of wet AMD.
What does private treatment cost?
As a guide, a private consultation with OCT scan costs around £250–£450, and anti-VEGF injections typically £800–£1,300 each, with several injections usually needed in the first year.
Does health insurance cover age-related macular degeneration?
Private medical insurance generally covers the diagnosis of AMD and a course of anti-VEGF injections for newly diagnosed wet AMD as acute treatment. Because wet AMD often needs injections for years, some insurers later reclassify it as chronic and limit ongoing funding, so check your policy's position. Dry AMD has no medical cure, so cover is largely limited to diagnosis and monitoring; pre-existing AMD is usually excluded.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly should I act if my vision becomes distorted?
Treat new distortion — straight lines looking bent, or a smudge in central vision — as urgent and see an optometrist or eye casualty within days, not weeks. If wet AMD is the cause, every week of delay risks permanent loss of central sight, whereas prompt anti-VEGF injections stabilise vision in most people and improve it in a significant minority.
What is the difference between wet and dry AMD?
Dry AMD is the slow, common form, where the macula gradually thins over years; there is no drug cure, but supplements and lifestyle changes can slow it. Wet AMD is less common but far more aggressive, caused by leaking new blood vessels, and can damage sight in weeks. Dry AMD can turn wet, which is why any sudden change needs urgent review.
Is private treatment worthwhile when the NHS fast-tracks wet AMD?
The NHS pathway for wet AMD is genuinely quick, and many people are well served by it. Going private can still help if your local clinic is overloaded, if you want the same consultant at every visit, more flexible injection scheduling, or access to newer longer-lasting drugs. For dry AMD monitoring, private care mainly buys convenience and continuity.