Under dry AMD, drusen deposits form under the retina and gradually obscure vision. Patients may still maintain reading vision and can continue their lives as before.

Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak, leading to rapid loss of central vision. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs such as Lucentis, Avastin and Eylea can prevent progression to neovascular AMD in up to 90% of cases.

Symptoms

As their macula degrades and light-sensing cells die off, those suffering from dry macular degeneration may notice that straight ahead vision has become blurry or hazy; moreover, their central field of vision becomes darker, creating blind spots within their field of vision that interfere with daily tasks like driving, reading and recognising faces of others. It can be extremely upsetting as daily tasks such as driving become challenging; reading becomes difficult or reading becomes impossible altogether – becoming very disconcerting indeed!

Studies indicate that taking antioxidant vitamins such as Vitamin C, E and beta-carotene could slow down its progression. A diet high in fruits and vegetables also can provide many essential nutrients.

As with wet macular degeneration, medication injections into the eye is the main treatment option for wet AMD. Lucentis (ranibizumab), Avastin (bevacizumab) or Eylea (aflibercept) are anti-vascular endothelial growth factor medications which block hormones which stimulate abnormal blood vessel formation which leak fluid under the retina in wet AMD, improving vision in up to 30% of cases with wet AMD.

While medications for wet macular degeneration may help slow visual loss, they do not stop progression of the disease or restore any vision already lost. Therefore, it is crucial that patients monitor their vision regularly and seek medical advice should any changes occur in their eyesight. An Amsler grid can be an excellent way to monitor changes by covering one eye at a time while looking at straight lines for distortion or gaps between straight lines.

Wet macular degeneration differs significantly from its dry form in that it can result in permanent vision loss. It occurs when waste deposits build up under the retina, leading to abnormal blood vessels leaking fluid and blood into central vision loss – and leading to blindness that surpasses both cataract and glaucoma in terms of severity and prevalence. It has become one of the primary causes of blindness across America today and more common than cataract or glaucoma.

Diagnosis

Macular Degeneration (MD) is a progressive condition that gradually diminishes your central vision, impacting on both its sharpness and clarity. MD strikes against your retina – an organ located behind your eye that sends images directly to your brain for processing. The macula of your retina is responsible for central vision – this area enables you to see straight ahead, which enables reading, driving and recognising faces and colors. As your macula deteriorates, it can cause blurry and distorted vision that makes driving and reading challenging. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, macular degeneration is one of the main causes of blindness among adults aged 50 or above. There are two forms of macular degeneration – dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration can be identified by yellow deposits under the retina known as drusen, which serve as the telltale sign that something may be wrong and are visible through dilated eye exams. Unless treated, dry macular degeneration can quickly progress into wet AMD, which is marked by abnormal blood vessels that leak and cause scarring beneath the retina (choroidal neovascularization). Wet AMD can rapidly advance, leading to serious vision loss within weeks.

Treatment for wet macular degeneration includes injecting medications known as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents into the eye every four weeks, usually as part of an anti-VEGF regimen. These anti-VEGF drugs stop blood vessel formation that leak and scar retina, saving thousands from legal blindness if this therapy had not existed – commonly Avastin, Lucentis and Eylea were prescribed.

Lifestyle changes may also help slow the progression of macular degeneration. Examples include not smoking, eating green leafy vegetables, fruits and deep sea fish that contain high concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin as well as taking antioxidant supplements.

Treatment

Though there is no cure for dry AMD, you can stall its progression by taking vitamin supplements and adhering to your physician’s dietary and lifestyle recommendations. They may suggest including green leafy vegetables and fish oil into your diet in order to lower risk of further deterioration. Your physician will conduct regular dilated eye exams as well as use an Amsler grid to track any signs that it has progressed to wet form of macular degeneration.

Wet macular degeneration (WMD), which involves the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina, often appears more quickly than dry AMD. It is one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness and its symptoms include rapid central blurring or distortion in vision. If wet AMD appears in your eyesight, seek medical assistance immediately from an ophthalmologist.

There are a few medications available to treat wet AMD; these anti-VEGF agents work by inhibiting the formation of new abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid into the retina and cause scarring or vision loss. They are administered intravitreally via injection and include Lucentis (Ranibizumab) and Aflibercept.

These medications may help to improve the quality of your vision; however, due to stabilizing abnormal blood vessels rather than eliminating them completely.

USC Ginsburg Institute researchers, using funding from the CIRM Disease Team Therapy Development III Award grant, have created an implant that contains retinal pigment epithelial cells to replace damaged macula. Clinical trials are ongoing and these implants have demonstrated early therapeutic benefit; some patients even reported regaining some vision. Cells used in these implants are grown in an abundant broth with nutrients; they then release molecular factors which promote new healthy retinal epithelial cell growth within the eye.

Monitoring

Macular degeneration comes in two forms – dry and wet. In its dry form, macular degeneration occurs due to protein deposits called drusen developing beneath the retina and leading to its atrophy or thinning; over time this may impede reading, driving and performing other daily tasks. Wet form macular degeneration arises when abnormal blood vessels form underneath retina leaking fluid or even bleeding; this type is the most severe form and may result in blindness.

Current treatments for wet macular degeneration involve anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections directly into the eye. These drugs have shown promising results in slowing vision loss; Avastin and Lucentis are two such anti-VEGF injections commonly prescribed, blocking hormones which contribute to leakage and bleeding; in addition, these medications help produce new blood vessels to restore normal anatomy of macula, thus potentially improving macular function while halting further decline.

As wet macular degeneration is treatable, its progression can occur quickly. To protect themselves against permanent blindness and avoid permanent vision loss, people with early stage AMD should regularly visit an ophthalmologist to monitor their vision and receive professional evaluation. They will conduct an Amsler grid and colorimetry test to detect early progression into wet macular degeneration; additionally they may recommend vitamin supplements and eating green leafy vegetables to maintain retina health.

CIRM’s investment will allow the USC team to further refine and prepare their technology for clinical trials, moving one step closer towards creating a treatment for wet macular degeneration. Scientists hope to use patient’s own healthy retinal cells rather than synthetic substances when creating injections or implants for early-stage macular degeneration patients or significant vision loss patients.