Living with macular degeneration

Macular degeneration is an eye condition that affects the macula, a part of the retina at the back of your eye. It alters your central vision, which you use to see details when looking straight at things, such as reading or watching television.

It typically affects people in their 50s and 60s, so it’s also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Early signs of macular degeneration include trouble seeing details, a blurred area in your vision, and seeing straight lines as wavy or bumpy.

Living independently with macular degeneration

Living with age-related macular degeneration can vary depending on whether you're diagnosed with the dry or wet form of the condition.

Macular degeneration can make it harder to see clearly as the eye condition progresses. Though it doesn’t cause total blindness, it can have a significant impact on daily life. There are many things you can do to help you cope so you can be as independent as possible and continue having a good quality of life.

• Make sure your home has plenty of bright and even lighting. Everyone needs more light to see clearly as they age, more so if living with AMD. Choose particularly good lighting for close-up tasks and reading.
• Aids like magnifiers help with seeing details, and your local low vision services may be able to loan these to you. 
• Glasses such as sunglasses with UV and blue light-blocking filters can help protect your eyes. 
• Some simple, low-tech solutions, such as choosing a phone with large numbers and stickers with large print for keyboards, can also make life easier.
• There’s lots of great everyday technology that can be useful. You can read books, newspapers, and magazines on e-readers and tablets in large text. Computers and phones can read your messages out loud. You can also get clever tech such as talking microwaves and weighing scales.   

If your AMD progresses, you may also want to consider becoming registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired. This can make you eligible for further support and benefits to alleviate some of the worry and expense that comes with worsening vision. Your specialist can complete a certificate if you meet the requirements.

At Guide Dogs, we have a wide range of services, both with and without guide dogs, and a team of experts who can work with you to understand your needs and agree on a plan that’s right for you.

The ways we could help you:

• Habilitation or rehabilitation of important life skills
• Our guide dog service
• Our Vision Rehabilitation Specialists can make recommendations best suited to you and your needs
• Tips and advice to help you make the most of your remaining vision
• Resources and support on how technology can improve your independence

Working with macular degeneration

You'll probably need to make some changes and adjustments to make work a bit easier with vision loss, but most people can work and live independently with AMD.

There are tools and tech that can help you when working with AMD, these include:

• Magnifiers
• Screen readers
• Large-print books or keyboards
• Suitable lighting

Driving with macular degeneration

Because macular degeneration affects the central vision we use when looking straight ahead and can cause blind spots, many people worry about driving with the condition. Being diagnosed with AMD doesn't in itself rule out driving, but you'll need to speak to your eye doctor about your eyesight and whether it's still good enough to drive.

As the condition progresses, you may lose more of your central vision. It can help to be prepared and think about your other options for travelling before you can no longer drive. Explore public transport options near you and alternatives such as taxis.

You must tell the DVLA if both your eyes are affected by AMD or if your vision in the affected eye falls below the minimum standard required to drive. You may need to take sight tests regularly to monitor your vision.

Support for people with macular degeneration

Getting help with macular degeneration can make a big difference if you’re living with the condition. As your central vision will be affected, you may need to change how you do things or ask for help. This can be frustrating and take time to adjust to, but you can still do the things you enjoy as independently as possible with the right support.

Contact us to find out about services and support tailored to your individual needs. Your specialist can also refer you to a low vision clinic with low vision specialists who can offer expert advice. Depending on the progression of your sight loss, you may also find it helpful to contact social services. They can help with mobility and staying safe at home or may be able to put you in touch with a Sensory Impairment Team and occupational therapists.

Support organisations

• Macular Society
• SightMatters

Edited and reviewed by Susie Baker, Principal Vision Rehabilitation Specialist on 21 May 2025

Guide Dogs is committed to working alongside people with a range of vision impairments, who are registered as either sight-impaired or severely sight-impaired.

Our staff undergo comprehensive training in supporting individuals with vision impairment, to enable us to support you every step of the way through one of our many services, with and without dogs. We foster knowledge of living with vision impairment and create content in collaboration with our Vision Rehabilitation Specialists and Habilitation Specialists.

This content is periodically reviewed as we continue to embrace new knowledge and up-to-date information, in order to improve how we deliver our services and advice.

Please note: Whilst Guide Dogs may be able to suggest various third-party websites which may be able to assist you, those are not endorsed by Guide Dogs. Guide Dogs have no control over those third parties and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information and support they can provide or the suitability and quality of any products or services they provide.

Frequently asked questions