Which form of macular degeneration is the dry form described as?

• A. Wet form
• B. Dry form (atrophy of retinal pigmented epithelium)
• C. Neovascular form
• D. Pigmentary form

Answer: (A)

Dry macular degeneration is the non-neovascular, atrophic form. Its hallmark is atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), often with geographic atrophy of overlying photoreceptors, leading to gradual vision loss. Because no new blood vessels form, this form progresses more slowly than the neovascular, or wet, form. The wet form involves choroidal neovascularization and leakage, causing more rapid vision decline. So describing the dry form as atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium fits the concept precisely.