Macular degeneration is a disease that leads to blurred central vision. This occurs when deposits called drusen accumulate under the retina and abnormal blood vessels form and leak within it (“wet form”).

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections can help stop leaky new blood vessels and protect vision loss by stopping further leakage, but to maximize results they should be administered along with regular exams and diagnostic testing.

Medications

Anti-VEGF injections may help slow the progression of wet macular degeneration. These injections contain drugs that counteract an enzyme found in your body that promotes abnormal blood vessel growth, known as anti-VEGFs. While this treatment cannot reverse vision loss or improve quality of life, it can delay progression while giving patients hope.

Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute recently conducted a study comparing retinal fluid samples of patients who required monthly anti-angiogenic injections with those of those who eventually reduced or discontinued treatment without experiencing further vision loss. They evaluated levels of angiopoietin-like 4 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) proteins to understand their influence on development of abnormal blood vessels seen in wet AMD.

Early diagnosis of wet macular degeneration can help protect against serious vision loss. Signs include blurry or distorted central vision, sudden loss of sharpness or color vision and straight lines appearing bent or crookedly – any patient experiencing these symptoms should visit their physician as soon as possible to establish the best course of treatment.

An optometrist can check for wet macular degeneration with an Amsler grid chart of black lines arranged in a grid pattern and special cameras that zoom into your eye to look for abnormal blood vessels under your retina. Medication, laser treatments and photodynamic therapy may all be used as treatments; your physician will create a care plan including these strategies as well as others that could prevent or postpone further vision loss.

Fluorescein Angiography

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) slows the function of the macula while wet AMD causes vision loss due to abnormal blood vessels which form and leak fluid into the retina causing what is known as Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV), potentially leading to blindness.

An annual dilated eye exam can detect wet ARMD, which manifests as yellow deposits underneath the retina known as drusen. If any symptoms of wet ARMD arise – for instance a sudden worsening of blurry central vision or large dark blind spots appearing suddenly within their field of view – immediately seek medical advice.

One effective treatment for wet eye ARMD involves regular or bi-monthly injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF, drugs which help inhibit abnormal blood vessel growth. Unfortunately, returning each month for this procedure may be an obstacle and result in decreased compliance with their medication regime.

Photodynamic therapy or PDT, another wet eye ARMD treatment option, utilizes laser light on the retina to shrink abnormal blood vessels and stop their leakage. Studies indicate this form of therapy can also improve vision in addition to slowing the progression of wet AMD.

Bevasiranib, currently being tested in clinical trials to see its ability to inhibit VEGF and slow CNV growth, offers promising new hope as a potential replacement to ranibizumab (Lucentis).

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Ocular coherence tomography (OCT), an imaging technique developed at OHSU Casey Eye Institute physician-scientist David Huang and used by noninvasively scanning light waves through an eye, is capable of detecting leaky blood vessels which cause wet macular degeneration. OCT provides noninvasive noncontact images of retina, the layer of nerve cells which transmit visual information directly into the brain. OCT has revolutionized how doctors diagnose and monitor eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic eye disease as well as many others.

Though most individuals with AMD experience only the less severe dry form, which causes macular tissue to thin, approximately 10 percent are diagnosed with wet AMD which leads to rapid vision loss and even blindness. Wet AMD is distinguished by the formation of abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid underneath the retina and destroy central vision.

Wet AMD symptoms include gradual cloudiness that spreads throughout a patient’s central vision, distortions to straight lines and small blind spots appearing suddenly. Anyone suspecting wet AMD should seek treatment immediately as its severity can rapidly escalate.

Treatment for wet eye macular degeneration often entails regular injections of an anti-VEGF treatment drug that blocks new blood vessel formation. Such injections work by targeting the protein responsible for supporting abnormally large blood vessel growth.

New research suggests that many people with wet eye AMD may one day be able to stop receiving monthly injections without further vision loss. While it remains too soon to know which patients can discontinue medications and when, your doctor will use various tests such as fluorescein angiography and OCT scans to ascertain your readiness.

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

New therapy could improve vision for those suffering from wet macular degeneration (WEMD). It involves shining painless laser light onto abnormal blood vessels under the retina to shrink them down and reduce leakage; this should help some wet AMD patients see more clearly; however, this process cannot restore lost sight.

Wet macular degeneration occurs when fluid builds up under the retina, causing it to swell and damage cells that allow vision. In its advanced or wet form, this condition can result in permanent blindness more frequently than its dry form; which usually only leads to gradual visual loss over time. Individuals at risk of wet eye macular degeneration typically exhibit larger numbers or more prominent drusen and abnormal blood vessels under one retina (“wet” form).

These medications for wet macular degeneration prevent abnormal blood vessel growth by blocking VEGF, a chemical found within the body which stimulates their formation. Most patients suffering from wet eye AMD require monthly injections in order to protect their vision from further loss.

New research suggests that some patients suffering from wet macular degeneration (WMD) could one day stop receiving lifelong injections. This finding comes from the results of a study with 106 people with wet AMD who received only one initial injection of verteporfin photodynamic therapy – which works by activating photosensitizer dye in their eye which seals leaky blood vessels by activating photosensitizer photosensitizer dye injection into eye.

Laser Treatment

Macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of blindness among Americans over 65, affects a small area at the back of retina that provides sharp central vision. If its function breaks down, however, macular degeneration occurs; while no cure exists, certain treatments can stop its progress or even improve vision in certain instances.

At its most advanced stage, wet macular degeneration manifests itself when abnormal blood vessels start growing underneath the retina and leaking fluid, distorting central vision by making it blurry and hazy, leading to sudden vision loss along with color and peripheral distortions as well as distorting color perceptions and peripheral (side) vision distortion. Furthermore, some instances can result in scar tissue formation that further interferes with sight.

People suffering from wet macular degeneration are typically given monthly injections of medication into their eye to inhibit further blood vessel leakage. Unfortunately, however, many are unwilling to return for injections at regular intervals – this can result in missed treatments, leading to further vision damage as the wet AMD progresses further.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine report that up to one-third of individuals living with wet macular degeneration may soon be able to discontinue taking monthly injections for treatment, currently recommended. They conducted a study involving 106 people at Wilmer Eye Institute in East Baltimore and satellite clinics throughout Maryland who all suffer from wet macular degeneration.

If you suspect early macular degeneration, make an appointment with your eye care provider immediately to see if laser treatment might help save your vision and assess any benefits it might bring to you. Your physician can offer insight into this treatment option, whether or not they believe you would qualify as a candidate for it.