Myopic Macular Degeneration vs. Age-Related Macular Degeneration: What’s the Difference?

Medically reviewed by Christopher L. Haupert, M.D.

Written by Jessica Wolpert

Posted on July 29, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Both age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and myopic macular degeneration (MMD) can cause blurry vision, blind spots, and trouble seeing in low light, but the two conditions have different causes and risk factors.

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Are you experiencing blurry vision, blind spots, difficulty seeing in low light, and visual distortions? These symptoms can be caused by both age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and myopic macular degeneration (MMD).

This article discusses the differences — and the similarities — between the two conditions.

What Is the Macula?

The back of your eye contains a layer of tissue called the retina. The retina processes the light that enters the eye. The retina contains many cells, including rods and cones.

Rods process black-and-white light and help with night vision, while cones process color. These rods and cones convert light into electrical signals that are then sent through the optic nerve to the brain.

The macula is a small area that sits at the center of the retina. It is less than a quarter of an inch wide, but it is responsible for processing your central vision. The macula has more cones than the rest of the retina, making it especially useful for picking out details.

What Is Myopic Macular Degeneration?

Myopic macular degeneration happens when the eye is damaged by myopia, or nearsightedness. Nearsightedness means that it’s hard for you to see objects that aren’t close to you.

Myopia is very common. Forty-two percent of people in the U.S. have myopia, and it’s estimated that, by 2050, half the people in the world will have it.

A normal eye is usually shaped like a ball. Myopia happens when the eye is longer than usual, making it shaped more like an oval. This diffuses light hitting the retina and causes the blurry vision associated with myopia.

People with severe nearsightedness, called high myopia, are at risk of developing myopic macular degeneration. People with myopia over minus 6 diopters are considered to have high myopia.

How Does High Myopia Cause MMD?

Because the eye is so lengthened with high myopia, it stretches the retina. This can cause the retina to actually break down, including the macula. Once the macula is damaged, central vision is affected.

In addition, tiny cracks can form between the retina and other layers of the eye. Blood vessels can grow in these cracks, but they are not very strong and bleed easily, causing scarring in the macula. This is called choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Although your risk for developing myopic macular degeneration rises with age, younger people can also develop the condition.

Females and people of Asian descent may be more likely to get myopic macular degeneration, according to Cleveland Clinic. If you have a job or hobby that involves a lot of close focusing, that may also raise your risk.

What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

AMD is the most common cause of vision loss in people over 50. The greatest risk for developing AMD is in the name — age. However, there are other risks for developing the condition.

These include being overweight, eating a lot of saturated fat, having high blood pressure, and smoking. A family history of AMD and being of European descent also raise the risk.

There are two kinds of age-related macular degeneration: dry and wet.

Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Dry AMD happens when protein deposits called drusen form underneath the macula. These deposits can cause blurred vision.

Dry AMD is the most common form — 90 percent of people with AMD have dry AMD. It tends to progress slowly. Some cases of dry AMD progress to wet AMD.

Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

People with wet AMD have abnormal blood vessels that develop under the retina. These blood vessels can leak blood and other fluids. These fluids can cause quickly progressing loss of central vision.

Diagnosing AMD and MMD

Your optometrist or ophthalmologist can give you several tests to help determine which condition is affecting your eyes. The following tests are used to diagnose both myopic macular degeneration and AMD:

Dilating your eyes to take a look at the retina is usually part of a yearly eye exam. Your healthcare provider will put special drops in your eyes to open the pupils and allow a direct view of the retina.
The Amsler grid test is a simple test during which you look at a grid. If the lines look wavy, wet AMD or myopic macular degeneration may be present.
Fluorescein angiography detects leaks in blood vessels, which can occur in both wet AMD and myopic macular degeneration. Dye is injected into a vein, and a special camera is used to watch as the dye progresses through the eye.

Can Macular Degeneration Types Be Misdiagnosed?

Myopic macular degeneration and AMD can be confused with each other. Wet AMD and MMD are especially similar, as both can involve abnormal blood vessel growth and leaks into the eye.

One myAMDteam member reported such a misdiagnosis: “I was diagnosed with wet macular degeneration in 2004 at first, but later rediagnosed with myopic macular degeneration.”

Cases of myopic macular degeneration usually involve smaller fluid leaks that are reabsorbed into the eye.

Treating AMD and MMD

Because both wet AMD and myopic macular degeneration can involve abnormal blood vessel growth and leaks, the same treatments can be used for both conditions.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs are the most common treatment for wet AMD and advanced cases of myopic macular degeneration. These drugs are injected into the eye to stop blood vessels from growing abnormally.

Other treatments for wet AMD and myopic macular degeneration include photodynamic therapy, during which a specialized intravenous drug and laser are used to seal leaks in the eye vessels. However, this is much less common than anti-VEGF drug treatment.

There are no ways to cure dry AMD, but there are ways to slow the progress of the condition. Some antioxidant vitamins have been shown to have a good effect on stopping dry AMD from worsening.

Vision aids can improve your quality of life with your remaining vision. Some people have lenses implanted in the eye to improve a small part of their field of vision. These lens implants may be an option for people who have severe dry AMD in both eyes.