Still working as an administrative assistant, Jan relies on her mom not only to help her navigate daily life but also to keep her spirits up. “I call my mom ‘Eyes’ because she’s always there to help me see what I can’t, and to help me find the silver lining every day.”​

For nearly 20 million Americans, AMD is more than a medical term; it’s a daily challenge that can affect independence, mobility and quality of life. AMD damages the macula, a small part of the retina located at the back of the eye. The macula is responsible for sharp, central vision, which we rely on for activities such as reading, recognizing faces, driving and even seeing fine details on a smartphone or tablet.

Dry AMD: This is the most common form of AMD, affecting about 85 to 90 percent of people with the condition. It develops slowly and is marked by thinning of the macula and the buildup of yellowish fatty deposits. As these deposits grow in size and number, the risk of developing wet AMD increases. Symptoms can include blurry or distorted vision, trouble seeing in low lighting and difficulty seeing fine details up close or at a distance. However, many people with dry AMD notice few or no changes in their vision for years. GA is an advanced form of dry AMD in which patches of retinal cells die (atrophy), causing blind spots and gradual central vision loss. Unlike wet AMD, GA does not involve abnormal blood vessel growth but can still lead to significant vision impairment over time. It affects more than 1 million people in the U.S. ​​