Which clinical sign is associated with dry AMD?

Drusen are small yellow or white deposits that form under the retina and are a hallmark of dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Their presence is significant because they indicate the accumulation of waste products from retinal cells, and they correlate with the progression of dry AMD. Drusen can vary in size and number, and while they are not directly harmful, they serve as an important risk factor for vision loss in individuals with dry AMD.

Neovascularization, subretinal fluid, and exudative lesions are more characteristic of wet AMD, which is a different stage of the disease involving abnormal blood vessel growth and fluid leakage. In contrast, dry AMD primarily exhibits the presence of drusen without these more aggressive changes. Therefore, the correct identification of drusen as a clinical sign underscores the differences between the forms of AMD and highlights the importance of recognizing early signs that could lead to further complications.