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Several dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treatments and management approaches are available right now. They fall into 5 broad categories: routine monitoring, lifestyle modification, nutritional supplementation, device-based therapy, and low-vision rehabilitation. Most patients benefit from more than one of these at the same time, and the right combination depends on the individual’s stage of disease and what they are trying to achieve.1
The most significant recent development in this list is the availability of authorized device-based therapy. Until recently, patients with dry AMD had no authorized option for improving visual function. That has changed. A qualified eye care provider can assess which of these approaches applies to a given patient and help develop a plan that addresses both disease management and preserving as much functional vision as possible.2
The Current Dry AMD Treatment Shortlist
1. Routine Monitoring
Regular eye examinations are the foundation of dry AMD management and remain appropriate at every stage of the disease. Monitoring typically includes retinal imaging, most commonly optical coherence tomography (OCT), to track changes in the macula over time, as well as visual acuity and contrast sensitivity testing to assess functional status. For patients with early dry AMD, monitoring may be the primary management approach while disease activity remains low.1
The frequency of monitoring appointments depends on disease stage and individual circumstances. Patients with intermediate or advanced dry AMD are often seen every 6 months. Between visits, self-monitoring with an Amsler grid can help patients detect changes in central vision that warrant earlier attention. Monitoring is not passive care; it is how providers catch the transition to geographic atrophy or wet AMD conversion early enough to respond appropriately.
2. Lifestyle Modification
Several lifestyle factors are consistently associated with AMD risk and rate of progression. Stopping smoking is the most impactful change a patient can make. Smokers have substantially higher rates of AMD progression than non-smokers, and the risk begins to decrease once smoking stops. A diet rich in dark leafy greens, colourful vegetables, and fish is associated with a lower risk of AMD. Wearing UV-protective sunglasses reduces cumulative light exposure. Managing blood pressure and maintaining a healthy weight are also relevant.3
These changes cost relatively little, carry no clinical risk and have cumulative benefits over time. They are appropriate at every stage of dry AMD and are worth emphasizing even when other management approaches are in place. Patients who ask “is there anything I can do myself?” should hear a clear, specific answer on this front.
3. AREDS2 Nutritional Supplementation
The AREDS2 formula, a specific combination of lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc, was studied in a large, rigorous clinical trial funded by the National Eye Institute. The trial found 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 robust pieces of evidence available in dry AMD management.4
AREDS2 supplementation is not appropriate for patients with early dry AMD, where the evidence for benefit is less clear and it does not improve visual acuity or contrast sensitivity. Its role is specifically to reduce the risk of structural progression in eligible patients. A clinician should confirm AMD stage and review health history before recommending supplementation, as some formulations are not suitable for patients with certain conditions or medication regimens.4
4. Device-Based Therapy
Device-based therapy is the most recent addition to the dry AMD management toolkit and represents a meaningful shift in what is possible for appropriate patients. Where the previous 3 categories address monitoring and risk management, device-based therapy offers the possibility of improving visual function in patients who are already living with the effects of dry AMD.2
MacuMira is a Health Canada–authorized treatment 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, patients in the treatment group improved in both visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. It is not indicated for wet AMD and eligibility depends on a clinical assessment by a qualified provider.2
Not every patient with dry AMD is a candidate for device-based therapy, and outcomes vary between individuals. The treatment requires a commitment to an ongoing schedule of visits, with maintenance sessions continuing after the initial treatment phase. Patients who are interested should ask their eye care provider whether they meet the eligibility criteria and what realistic outcomes look like for someone at their stage of disease.2
5. Low Vision Rehabilitation
For patients who have already experienced significant vision loss, low vision rehabilitation offers practical support for maintaining independence and quality of life. Low vision specialists and occupational therapists work with patients to make the best use of remaining vision through magnification devices, adaptive lighting, contrast-enhancing strategies, and training in techniques for daily tasks such as reading, cooking, and moving safely through unfamiliar spaces.1
Low vision rehabilitation does not treat dry AMD or restore lost vision, but it can significantly improve how a patient functions day to day. It is often underutilized because providers and patients alike tend to focus on treating the disease rather than adapting to its effects. Patients who feel that their vision loss is limiting their daily lives should ask for a referral to a low-vision specialist, ideally alongside any active treatment they may be pursuing.
What Is Coming But Not Yet Available
Several investigational approaches to dry AMD are in clinical development, including therapies targeting the complement pathway, stem cell approaches, and additional device-based modalities. Some of these have shown promise in early studies. None has reached the point of broad clinical availability or regulatory authorization at the level of the options described above.5
Patients who are interested in participating in clinical research may be able to access investigational therapies through trials. A provider who specializes in retinal disease can advise on whether any open trials might be relevant for a given patient’s profile. Participating in a trial is a personal decision that should be made with a clear understanding of the distinction between investigational and authorized treatment.
How These Options Work Together
The 5 categories above are not competing alternatives. Most patients will benefit from several of them simultaneously. A patient with intermediate dry AMD might reasonably be on an AREDS2 supplement, make lifestyle changes, attend monitoring appointments every 6 months, explore device-based therapy with their provider, and ask about low-vision resources if daily tasks are becoming difficult.
The goal is not to find the one right answer, but to build a care plan that addresses the disease comprehensively. Each option contributes something distinct, and the combination that best serves a particular patient is one that matches their disease stage, goals, and what they are willing and able to commit to over time.
What to Ask Your Eye Care Provider
- Which of the 5 categories of dry AMD management apply to my current stage of disease?1
- Am I eligible for AREDS2 supplementation and if so, which formulation is right for me?4
- Is device-based therapy something I should explore, and do I meet the eligibility criteria?2
- What lifestyle changes would have the most meaningful impact at my stage of AMD?
- Is a low vision referral appropriate given my current level of functional vision?
- Are there any clinical trials relevant to my profile that I should be aware of?
- How will we track whether my current plan is working and how often should we review it?
Key Takeaway
Dry AMD treatments currently available include routine monitoring, lifestyle modification, AREDS2 supplementation for eligible patients, device-based therapy to improve visual function in appropriate patients, and low-vision rehabilitation for those with significant functional loss. Most patients benefit from a combination of these approaches rather than a single option. The right plan depends on stage of disease, individual goals, and a thorough conversation with a qualified eye care provider.
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 gradually deteriorates, affecting central vision. The most common form of AMD. Managed with a combination of monitoring, lifestyle changes, supplementation and device-based therapy for appropriate patients.
AREDS2 formula: A nutritional supplement combination studied in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2. Includes lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc. Associated with approximately a 25% reduced risk of progression to advanced AMD in eligible patients with intermediate or advanced disease.
MacuMira: A Health Canada–authorized treatment device indicated to improve visual function in patients with dry AMD. Noninvasive, delivers low-level electrical stimulation under the supervision of an eye care professional. Not indicated for wet AMD.
Geographic atrophy: An advanced stage of dry AMD in which retinal pigment epithelium cells and photoreceptors break down, causing permanent central vision loss. Detected and tracked through retinal imaging.
Low vision rehabilitation: Specialized services helping patients with significant vision loss maintain independence. Includes magnification devices, adaptive lighting and training in daily-life techniques.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT): A noninvasive retinal imaging technology that produces detailed cross-sectional images of the macula. The standard tool for staging and monitoring dry AMD.
Amsler grid: A grid-based self-monitoring tool used at home by AMD patients to detect changes in central vision between clinical appointments.
Visual acuity: The clarity and sharpness of central vision. Measured on standardized charts such as the ETDRS scale. A key functional outcome in AMD management and clinical trials.
Contrast sensitivity: The ability to distinguish objects from their background at varying levels of contrast. Frequently affected in dry AMD and captures functional deficits that standard acuity tests may not detect.
Investigational therapy: A treatment that is being studied in clinical trials but has not yet received regulatory authorization for general clinical use. Distinct from authorized treatments available in routine practice.
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/.
