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When it comes to treating dry AMD in Canada, there isn’t one single solution. Instead, treatment combines approaches based on where a patient is in the disease’s progression and what they hope to achieve. Options range from monitoring and lifestyle changes to nutritional supplementation and device-based therapy that can help improve visual function in appropriate patients.1
The most important thing Canadian patients with dry AMD can do is have an honest, up-to-date conversation with a qualified eye care provider about what’s available. The treatment landscape has changed in recent years, and patients who were told there was nothing to do beyond watching and waiting may now find options that didn’t exist before.2
Understanding Dry AMD and Why Treatment Choices Vary
Dry AMD affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. It progresses gradually, and its impact on daily life can range from mild reading difficulty to significant loss of central vision in advanced stages. It is distinct from wet AMD, which involves abnormal blood vessel growth and can cause more rapid vision loss.1
Because dry AMD progresses at different rates in different people and affects visual function in different ways, no single treatment fits every patient. A person with early dry AMD and minimal visual impact has different clinical needs than someone with intermediate disease experiencing contrast sensitivity loss or someone with advanced geographic atrophy affecting their daily life. Management plans are most useful when they account for where the patient actually is, not where a generic protocol expects them to be.3
The sections below cover the main management approaches currently available in Canada, what the evidence shows, and when to consider each option.
Routine Monitoring: Necessary at Every Stage
Regular eye examinations with retinal imaging are the foundation of dry AMD management, regardless of what other approaches are in place. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) helps an eye care provider track structural changes in the macula over time, identify the onset of geographic atrophy, and catch early signs of conversion to wet AMD, which requires different and more urgent treatment.1
The frequency of monitoring appointments depends on disease stage and the rate of progression observed over time. Follow-up intervals depend on the stage of AMD and your individual risk of progression. Some people may need annual monitoring, while others may need more frequent visits. Between visits, self-monitoring with an Amsler grid may help patients detect changes in central vision, signaling them to contact their eye care provider before their next scheduled appointment.
Monitoring is sometimes characterized as passive or insufficient care, but this misunderstands its role. Detecting a change in disease status early enough to respond appropriately is itself a clinical benefit, and it is only possible with consistent, well-documented follow-up.
Lifestyle Modifications: Accessible and Evidence-Supported
Several modifiable factors are consistently associated with AMD risk and rate of progression. Quitting smoking can reduce the health risks associated with smoking, and former smokers have a lower AMD risk than current smokers.
A balanced diet rich in vegetables and fish is generally recommended as part of a healthy lifestyle. Sunglasses that block UV can protect your eyes from ultraviolet exposure, although UV protection should not be presented as a proven way to prevent AMD.
These changes require no prescription and have little downside. They are relevant at every stage of dry AMD and should be discussed as a standard part of any AMD care conversation, not only when other treatment options are being considered. Patients who feel lifestyle advice is all that is being offered should be encouraged to ask about additional management options appropriate to their stage of disease.
AREDS2 Supplementation: For the Right Patients at the Right Stage
The AREDS2 formula, a combination of lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, copper, vitamin E and zinc, was studied in a large clinical trial funded by the US National Eye Institute. The research showed that AREDS2 supplementation reduced the risk of progression to advanced AMD by approximately 25% in patients with intermediate dry AMD or advanced AMD in one eye. This is one of the most robustly supported interventions in dry AMD management.4
AREDS2 supplementation is not appropriate for patients at early stages of dry AMD, where the evidence for benefit is less clear. AREDS2 is intended to reduce the risk of progression to advanced AMD, but it does not restore vision that has already been lost. Its role is specifically in reducing structural progression risk in eligible patients. A clinician should confirm AMD stage and review health history before recommending supplementation.4
AREDS2 formula supplements are widely available in Canada through pharmacies and health retailers, but patients should not start them without first having their AMD stage confirmed by an eye care provider. The formulation is not suitable for all patients, and some versions of the supplement contain beta-carotene, which is associated with increased lung cancer risk in current or former smokers.
Device-Based Therapy: Improving Visual Function for Eligible Patients
Device-based therapy represents a meaningful development in the dry AMD management toolkit. Where monitoring and supplementation address disease tracking and progression risk, device-based therapy offers an option for patients who want to know whether anything can be done to improve the vision they currently have.2
MacuMira is a Health Canada-authorized medical device indicated to improve visual function in patients with dry AMD. It delivers low-level electrical stimulation in a noninvasive clinical setting, under the supervision of an eye care professional. In its published randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial, treated patients gained an average of 8.2 letters on the ETDRS scale at 30 weeks, compared to a decline of 2.1 letters in the sham control group, a statistically significant between-group difference of 10.4 letters (p < 0.001). Patients treated with MacuMira also showed significant improvements in contrast sensitivity. 48% of treated patients gained 10 or more letters, and no device-related adverse events were recorded.2
Since its launch, MacuMira has been used in hundreds of clinics across Canada and internationally, with more than 21,000 treatments delivered and no known device-related serious adverse events reported. It is not indicated for wet AMD. Eligibility requires a clinical assessment and results vary between individuals. Patients with baseline visual acuity better than 20/50 may experience a different degree of benefit than those in the range studied in the trial.2
Device-based therapy is understood as one part of a comprehensive management plan, not a replacement for monitoring or supplementation. Patients who begin MacuMira therapy should continue their regular eye examinations and any other clinically appropriate elements of their care.
Low Vision Rehabilitation: Shifting the Focus to Daily Function
For patients who have already experienced significant vision loss, low vision rehabilitation can meaningfully improve daily functioning and quality of life. Low vision specialists and occupational therapists work with patients to maximize the use of remaining vision through magnification devices, adaptive lighting, contrast-enhancing strategies and training in techniques for reading, cooking, recognizing faces and navigating unfamiliar spaces safely.1
Low vision rehabilitation doesn’t treat dry AMD or improve lost vision, but it addresses its practical consequences. Patients who find that their vision loss is limiting what they can do independently should ask their eye care provider for a referral to a low vision specialist. This step is often delayed longer than it needs to be because providers and patients alike focus on the disease rather than its day-to-day impact.
Changes in Recent Years
The management of dry AMD has evolved in recent years. Monitoring, lifestyle measures and AREDS2 supplementation remain important for appropriate patients, while Health Canada authorization of MacuMira has added a device-based option intended to improve visual function in people with dry AMD.
A growing body of investigational research is also underway. Several approaches targeting the underlying biology of dry AMD are in active clinical development, and the evidence base for existing interventions continues to deepen. The trajectory for dry AMD treatment is more optimistic than it was a decade ago. This is especially true for patients who stay in contact with a knowledgeable eye care provider, as they are the most well-positioned to benefit from developments as they become available.5
Having the Conversation with Your Eye Doctor
Because treatment options can vary by disease stage, provider, location and eligibility, patients may benefit from asking specifically about all appropriate management options. Providers who are not familiar with newer developments should be willing to refer to a colleague who is.
Questions to Ask Your Eye Care Provider
- What stage of dry AMD do I have and what does the monitoring plan look like for my level of disease?
- Am I eligible for AREDS2 supplementation and is the formulation appropriate given my health history?4
- Is device-based therapy something I should explore, and am I likely to be a candidate based on my current visual acuity?2
- What lifestyle changes would have the most meaningful impact at my stage of AMD?
- Is there anything that has become available since I was last assessed that I should know about?
- Would a referral to a low vision specialist be appropriate given my current level of functional vision?
- How will we track whether my current management plan is working and how often should we review it?
Conclusion
Dry AMD management in Canada can include regular monitoring, lifestyle measures, AREDS2 supplementation for eligible patients, low-vision rehabilitation, and, for appropriate patients, Health Canada-authorized device-based therapy intended to improve visual function.
But it’s important to remember that no single option suits every patient. Patients who have not recently had a full conversation about their options should ask their eye care provider what is now available for their specific stage of disease.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Patients should speak with a qualified eye care professional to determine which treatment options are appropriate for their specific condition and health history.
Glossary
Dry AMD (dry age-related macular degeneration): A progressive retinal condition in which the macula deteriorates gradually over time, affecting central vision. The most common form of AMD, distinct from wet AMD.
Wet AMD: A form of AMD involving abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina. Can cause more rapid vision loss than dry AMD and is treated with anti-VEGF injections. A separate condition from dry AMD.
MacuMira: An approved medical device indicated to improve visual function in patients with dry AMD through safe, non-invasive, low-level electrical stimulation. For use under the supervision of an eye care professional. Not indicated for wet AMD.
AREDS2 formula: A nutritional supplement combination including lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc. Shown to reduce the risk of progression to advanced AMD by approximately 25% in eligible patients. Should be recommended by a clinician.
Geographic atrophy: An advanced stage of dry AMD in which retinal pigment epithelium cells and photoreceptors break down, causing irreversible central vision loss in the affected area.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT): A non-invasive retinal imaging technology that produces high-resolution cross-sectional images of the macula. The standard tool for staging and monitoring dry AMD.
ETDRS scale: The Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study visual acuity measurement system, scored letter by letter. More sensitive to small changes than traditional Snellen notation and the standard outcome measure in AMD clinical trials.
Contrast sensitivity: The ability to distinguish objects from their background at varying levels of contrast. Often reduced in dry AMD independently of high-contrast visual acuity.
Amsler grid: A grid-based visual self-monitoring tool used between appointments to detect changes in central vision such as distortion or missing areas.
Low vision rehabilitation: Specialized services helping patients with significant vision loss maintain daily independence through magnification devices, adaptive lighting and trained techniques.
References
1. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health. Last reviewed November 2023. Accessed June 2026. https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration.
2. Evaluation of visual acuity in dry AMD patients after microcurrent electrical stimulation. Parkinson KM, Sayre EC, Tobe SW. International Journal of Retina and Vitreous. Published May 2023. Accessed June 2026. https://macumira.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/MacuMira-Clinical-Trial.pdf.
3. Understanding Macular Degeneration. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published November 2025. Accessed June 2026. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/amd-macular-degeneration.
4. Lutein + Zeaxanthin and Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Randomized Clinical Trial. AREDS2 Research Group. JAMA. Published May 15, 2013. Accessed June 2026. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1684847.
5. Macular Degeneration Treatment. BrightFocus Foundation. Date not listed. Accessed June 2026. https://www.brightfocus.org/macular/macular-degeneration-treatments/.
