What causes dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?

Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is primarily characterized by the buildup of deposits known as drusen in the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for high acuity vision. As these drusen accumulate, they can disrupt the function of the retinal cells and lead to degeneration of the macula over time. This accumulation is a hallmark of the dry form of AMD and contributes to the gradual loss of central vision.

Understanding the role of drusen is crucial, as they indicate the progression of AMD and potential visual compromise. The presence of these deposits can also signal a risk for the development of more severe forms of AMD, such as the wet form, which involves abnormal blood vessel growth.

The other options relate to different processes that do not accurately describe the underlying mechanism of dry AMD. For example, rapid buildup of blood within the macula is associated with wet AMD, and light exposure can damage retinal cells but is not a direct cause of dry AMD. Complete detachment of the retina is a different ocular condition altogether and does not pertain to the slow degeneration observed in dry AMD. Thus, the correct pathophysiological basis for dry AMD clearly lies in the buildup of drusen.