Over 15 million Americans suffer from AMD. Early diagnosis can help stave off further vision loss. At UF Health Ophthalmology we specialize in both wet and dry macular degeneration treatments.

Under dry AMD, tiny protein deposits known as drusen form and central vision is gradually lost. Wet AMD occurs when new, abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina that leak fluid, rapidly worsening vision.

Early Detection

Macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition that gradually destroys central vision, making it more difficult for sufferers to read, drive and recognize faces. Although peripheral (side) vision remains intact, macular degeneration may make living alone difficult or impossible.

AMD is an incurable progressive condition without an effective cure, yet treatments exist to slow its progress. For best results, receive regular comprehensive eye examinations after turning 60 and report any changes in vision to an ophthalmologist immediately.

AMD often begins as blurriness in the center of your vision, progressing to cause straight lines to become wavy and ultimately making your central vision unusable.

Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels form under the retina and leak blood and fluid, disrupting its ability to function, leading to gradual vision loss in central vision. Although less common than its dry counterpart, wet AMD can lead to faster and more serious vision loss.

Macular degeneration can be managed using both lifestyle and medication approaches. Patients taking antioxidant vitamins, eating healthily, avoiding smoking and engaging in regular physical exercise – particularly walking – can help slow the progression of their condition while strengthening the muscles that control vision by strengthening eye muscles.

New DNA tests can predict your risk for wet macular degeneration, the more aggressive form of AMD, yet are unavailable in the US. Researchers are exploring MACUGEN as an eye injection; it works by binding with chemical that causes abnormal blood vessels leading to wet AMD, blocking its effects and slowing its progression; it has shown promise but should not be considered a cure; instead it should be discussed with an ophthalmologist as part of your overall care to get an idea of what might impact you personally.

Screening

AMD leads to blurry central vision as its effects spread through the retina, leading to vision loss over time. At UF Health Ophthalmologists use advanced technology to detect and monitor this disease responsible for nearly half of blindness among people 60 or over – although treatment cannot reverse the progression, early diagnosis and intervention may help slow it down and delay further visual loss.

UF Health experts have made remarkable advances in helping advanced AMD patients maintain their sight. The most prevalent form of the condition, known as dry macular degeneration, occurs when the retina thins and small deposits called drusen form in the eye causing straight lines to bend and creating small blind spots in the center of visual fields. Conversely, infrequent cases of wet macular degeneration arise when abnormal blood vessels sprout under the retina and leak fluid or blood into it, damaging photoreceptors rapidly leading to rapid and severe vision loss.

Diet, exercise and lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of macular degeneration significantly, though there is no permanent solution available. Routine comprehensive eye exams can detect early signs and provide timely medical treatment from ophthalmologists; stopping smoking significantly lowers this risk as oxygen does not reach as far into the eyes.

Screening for wet AMD involves testing eyes using dye-filled eyedrops to look for new blood vessel growth or fluid leakage, if present. If positive, anti-VEGF medication may be administered in order to slow leakage and stop further deterioration – these medicines work by inhibiting an eye chemical messenger responsible for new vessel formation; in some instances laser surgery may also be employed in order to destroy abnormal vessels and decrease fluid leakage.

Researchers from UF Health conducted a recent study to compare different screening methods for wet macular degeneration (WMD). Their researchers found that optical coherence tomography (OCT) and telemedicine outshone color fundus photography when it came to detection and identification of wet AMD. Furthermore, their results indicate these technologies as effective ways of detecting it early as well as those at increased risk.

Injections

Wet macular degeneration differs from dry AMD in that abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid, leading to blurry vision. Thankfully, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) medications may help us stop its progression through monthly injections under local anaesthesia performed at Beth Bruening’s office – they typically stabilize fluid build-up under retina by stabilizing it; some patients may require more frequent injections depending on risk factors associated with wet AMD progression; to determine your treatment plan, have an eye exam conducted by Beth Bruening, MD and find out your treatment options best suit you through medical eye examination with Beth Bruening’s MD to understand your treatment options best!

Recent research indicates that many wet AMD patients treated with anti-VEGF intravitreal injections could significantly decrease or stop receiving treatments altogether, while still maintaining or even improving their vision. While the results are encouraging, further investigation must take place into which characteristics predict which individuals will achieve reduced frequency of treatments.

As part of the current gold standard treatment for wet AMD, Eylea should be administered intraocularly as soon as symptoms appear. Eylea binds to VEGF protein to inhibit its action which promotes new blood vessel formation and fluid leakage resulting in wet AMD, diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion.

Combining photodynamic therapy and laser photocoagulation – medications which cause blood vessels to close – with photodynamic therapy may be very effective treatment of wet macular degeneration; however, it must be remembered that disease will recur and no guarantees can be made for continued vision improvements.

Other treatments options for AMD may include quitting smoking and increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants. It’s best to stay away from blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, warfarin or pradaxa as these increase the risk of eye bleeding. There are numerous therapies in development aiming to address limitations of current treatments; such as compounds targeting different parts of the VEGF cascade; novel delivery systems designed to decrease injection frequency; as well as combination therapies.

Surgery

The retina is a thin layer in the back of your eye that converts light into electrical signals to be processed by your brain. The macula is the central portion of retina that provides detailed vision in your center field of view – this allows for seeing straight lines, reading, driving and seeing faces clearly. AMD gradually destroys macula over time leading to blurred vision making driving, reading or recognising faces more challenging; dim light visibility may become difficult while creating blind spots where macular is no longer functioning normally.

About eight out of ten people experience dry macular degeneration, the slower form. It begins when tiny yellow deposits known as drusen form under the retina and cause macular tissue thinning. At this stage, many individuals may not notice symptoms; however, others may detect an increasing area of darkness in their central vision as their macula thins further.

One in 10 individuals diagnosed with AMD progress to wet macular degeneration. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak fluid into or bleed into the eye, leading to rapid central vision loss and potentially leading to complete blindness in both eyes. If left untreated, wet AMD could even result in complete blindness for both individuals.

Studies have revealed that vitamins and minerals may help slow the progression of wet AMD by up to 25%. Speak with an eye care provider about which supplements would best fit into your regimen.

Laser surgery and eye injections with medications that block proteins known to encourage new blood vessel formation such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Your eye care provider may use laser to burn away abnormal blood vessels while injecting medications directly into your eyes to stop angiogenesis (new vessel growth).