Laser treatment of wet AMD can effectively eliminate leaky blood vessels that cause vision loss, helping slow its progress but often not leading to improved vision.

In wet AMD, the retina at the back of the eye starts to bleed and form abnormal blood vessels, forming distortion and central blind spots in vision.

MACUGEN

MACUGEN is an injection used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration. It works by slowing its progression by stopping abnormal blood vessels from growing, which leak fluid and cause damage to retina. MACUGEN was approved as the first drug specifically targeting this condition; its action lies in binding with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which promotes their formation.

MACUgen is administered in an outpatient setting by a doctor using strict aseptic technique. Prior to the procedure, patients are given topical anesthetic or subconjuctival block to numb the eye before injections begin. Macugen injections occur every six weeks for one to two years with few side effects reported, though retinal detachments and endophthalmitis may occur in some patients.

As well as MACUGEN, there have been various other treatments developed for wet AMD treatment, such as photodynamic therapy and medications targeting VEGF.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a two-step procedure in which patients are exposed to photosensitive chemicals and then activated using low-level laser light. When exposed, these photosensitive molecules accumulate in blood vessels and tissues of the retina before being activated by low-level laser light and absorbed by photosensitive cells in photosensitive cells in photosensitive cells in blood vessels – effectively stopping new blood vessel formation while improving vision. Photodynamic therapy treatments are offered both at various ophthalmologists’ offices and as home kits.

Visudyne utilizes a similar strategy to treat wet AMD, yet is only effective against cases known as “predominantly classic,” accounting for 40-60 percent of wet AMD cases. Unfortunately, it cannot help those suffering from dry AMD as its progression occurs more slowly.

VISUDYNE

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), commonly referred to as Wet AMD, accounts for only 10% of cases overall but remains one of the primary causes of severe vision loss. The disease progresses when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and begin leaking and bleeding into surrounding cells causing sudden vision loss in an instantaneous manner. A standard treatment option for wet AMD is laser photocoagulation – although this treatment cannot restore lost vision but it can stop further deterioration by sealing leaky vessels while inhibiting new ones from growing as wet AMD cannot restore lost vision but instead stop further worsening by sealing leaky vessels while inhibiting their formation while inhibiting their formation from growing further.

Recently, verteporfin has been approved as an effective way of treating wet form of macular degeneration. After administering, patients exposed the drug to non-thermal red light treatment; once exposed, its light activation seals off any abnormal blood vessels under retina. Treatment is fast and painless – typically seeing improved vision within two weeks post treatment.

Photodynamic therapy or PDT is an innovative new treatment for wet AMD that combines anti-angiogenic medications and light activation therapies that targets the eye’s macula. Photocoagulation was once the only available remedy, though this only reduced fluid build-up within retina but didn’t stop new blood vessels from sprouting or leaking; these new drugs may actually slow progression and even improve vision in some instances.

Studies have confirmed the drug to be both safe and effective; however, some side effects may occur. According to Moby’s Drug Consult (2006), less than 1 percent of patients treated with this medication experienced serious side effects like retinal detachments or inflammation of internal eye structures (endophthalmitis). Other less serious adverse reactions included eye floaters and discomfort.

VISUDYNE patients must avoid direct sunlight and bright indoor lighting for five days following treatment, in accordance with all instructions and safety precautions. This medication should not be taken by those suffering from porphyria (blood enzyme deficiency) or who have developed hypersensitivity reactions due to any components present in this medication.

Fluorescein angiography

Fluorescein dye is injected into a vein in your arm, then photographed using a special camera of blood vessels in the retina and choroid behind your eye (this test can show abnormal changes such as diabetic retinopathy or wet macular degeneration) as well as determine how effectively treatment for these conditions is working.

Fluorescein angiography serves to identify abnormal blood vessels under the retina that leak and bleed, providing an important tool in diagnosing wet macular degeneration as well as measuring effectiveness of laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy treatments.

As part of your study, you may experience an orange tint in your vision which quickly dissipates when the dye leaves your body. You may also experience mild headaches or brow pain which is typically resolved with acetominophen. Your vision may remain clouded for days or even months afterward depending on individual cases.

Before the test begins, your ophthalmologist will discuss both risks and benefits associated with angiography. They may advise using a lower dose of dye if you have certain medical conditions or take medications that could compromise its results. You should avoid foods and drinks containing high sodium content or caffeine 24 hours before scheduling an angiographic test.

People suffering from wet macular degeneration may benefit from combining laser photocoagulation and injections of anti-VEGF drugs in order to restore some vision, although results aren’t as great compared with just laser treatment alone due to damage from laser damage destroying retinal tissue starved of oxygen, thus stopping new blood vessel formation, thus stopping neovascularization altogether.

Ophthalmologists have also developed other effective techniques to treat wet macular degeneration without damaging the retina, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT utilizes ranibizumab medication to inhibit new blood vessel formation in the eye – used both to treat wet macular degeneration and other eye disorders such as neovascular glaucoma. PDT has proven highly successful and can even improve vision in some patients.

Optical coherence tomography

Optic coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive imaging technique that produces extremely detailed pictures of the inner workings of your eye. Similar to ultrasound scans, OCT images offer much more information about the structure and composition of the retina and macula as well as abnormalities that cause macular oedema or other conditions that need treatment – helping doctors better diagnose and treat your condition.

Wet AMD is an aggressive form of macular degeneration that gradually destroys vision in some individuals over time. A novel approach, painlessly delivered via laser light therapy, may slow vision loss for some sufferers by using painless laser light to destroy leaking blood vessels in the retina – however this treatment only proves successful if blood vessels grow away from damaging parts of retina that do not contain drusen deposits (blood vessel growth in areas without existing drusen deposits).

An alternative treatment method involves injecting a drug that prevents new blood vessel formation into patients with wet macular degeneration. Clinical trials are currently testing this approach; however, most of them involve limited numbers of participants that may not represent the overall population with wet macular degeneration. A University of Washington research project led by Dr. David Saperstein hopes to enhance its effectiveness.

UW researchers are also working on developing an enhanced procedure for wet macular degeneration using laser technology to destroy abnormal blood vessels. Although this treatment can slow or stop vision loss, it has an extremely high recurrence rate so it must be completed prior to developing severe visual impairment.

OHSU Casey Eye Institute physicians-scientists have designed and are continually improving optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanning technology that allows retinas to be imaged in great detail. OCT provides cross-sectional views with resolution comparable to histopathology for precise tissue examination; its use can aid in diagnosing macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy among others.