Age-related macular degeneration involves a progressive loss of central vision as the macula deteriorates and breaks down, typically marked by yellow deposits called drusen under the retina.

Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak fluid or blood. Eye injections with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors help decrease abnormal vessels while slowing leakage.

Fluorescein Angiography

Fluorescein angiography (FA) is a photographic test used to detect blood flow within the retina (the back of the eye). This allows doctors to locate abnormal leakage of blood vessels that occurs with conditions like wet macular degeneration and other diseases, and also monitor treatment efficacy. FA testing is generally safe for most individuals and repeated multiple times without harm to either body or eyes.

At the start of this procedure, eye drops are used to dilate the pupil of a patient before injecting fluorescent sodium Fluorescein dye directly into an arm or hand vein. Once in, this fluorescent dye travels quickly through blood vessels until reaching retinal blood vessels in which retinal photographer takes multiple flash photos as the dye passes. The photos allow doctors to identify leakage or blocked blood flow issues within retinal and choroidal blood vessels and treat accordingly.

This outpatient procedure lasts 10-15 minutes, and involves no pain. Images are captured when the dye enters the choroid, a layer of fluid behind the retina. After about 12 seconds it has moved through to retinal blood vessels before expanding further through larger arteries into small blood vessels near optic nerve heads (arterial phase) before filling tiny veins draining retinal blood vessels (venus phase).

Doctors can use dye leakage testing to detect leakage of retinal or choroidal blood vessels, narrowing or leaking of arteries, new blood vessel formation, or narrowed or leaking of existing ones; and any new blood vessel formation. This test is often used to diagnose diabetic retinopathy and wet macular degeneration.

Fluorescein angiography should not be performed on children as its dye could be potentially toxic if ingested into their system. Although some individuals are allergic to fluorescein dye, most patients are unaffected. Patients should inform their physician of any history of scleroderma as this could trigger adverse reactions during testing; flushing and nausea may occur but typically pass within seconds; in rare instances it has caused both skin and urine changes as a result of being exposed to too much fluorescein dye.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness among people over 50 in industrialized nations. A disease affecting the macula of the retina, it leads to loss of central vision. There are two main forms of AMD; dry and wet. Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and leak fluid under it – this happens in 10-15 percent of cases and leads to progressive loss of central vision and is considered more severe form of the disease.

Optic Coherence Tomography (OCT) provides highly detailed images of the retina and macula without using radiation and taking anywhere from 10-20 minutes to complete. Dilation drops are used to dilate pupil, followed by machine scanning which creates topographical-like cross-sectional images which are then evaluated by an eye doctor to identify any holes or swollen areas which require treatment as well as monitor glaucoma symptoms as well as changes to optic nerve health. This technology may also be used for monitoring glaucoma as well as monitor glaucoma detection or changes that detect changes that would otherwise go undetected – OCT provides invaluable detail about which would otherwise go undetected – giving insight into both visual images that would otherwise remain hidden away!

PDT (photodynamic therapy) is another laser procedure to examine the retina more closely. PDT uses a laser beam that damages abnormal blood vessels that grow beneath the retina and has proven very successful at treating wet macular degeneration, although its efficacy in preventing vision loss due to dry macular degeneration has yet to be proven.

Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (anti-VEGF) treatments are an increasingly popular means of treating wet macular degeneration, often administered via eye injections. These anti-VEGF medicines block proteins within the body which lead to new blood vessel growth and fluid leakage that contribute to wet AMD. Ranibizumab (Lucentis) remains the go-to treatment option; however other medications may also be suitable depending on your condition.

Johns Hopkins Medicine conducted a preliminary study of 106 wet AMD patients that suggests they may eventually be able to stop receiving monthly injections without suffering further vision loss. Unfortunately, though, their findings, published in Lancet Ophthalmology journal, do not offer a timeline as to when wet AMD sufferers can safely stop injections – further research will need to be conducted in order to confirm these results, Sodhi notes.

Injection Therapy

Age-related macular degeneration’s advanced, or wet form, sees abnormal blood vessels form under the retina and leak blood and fluid, damaging retinal cells and leading to vision loss in many patients. Treatment includes eliminating unhealthy vessels by means of anti-VEGF therapies – an effective means of stabilizing or improving vision in many individuals with wet macular degeneration.

Scientists have recently discovered that vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF, plays an integral part in the formation of abnormal blood vessels that lead to wet macular degeneration. Researchers have created drugs which block VEGF and slow or stop its effects; three such approved treatments for wet AMD include Avastin, Eylea and Lucentis as VEGF-blockers.

While these treatments are beneficial to most wet macular degeneration patients, not everyone responds positively. 30% of patients will remain stable despite therapy while 40% will experience further deterioration despite this treatment plan. Recent studies suggest that new therapies will enhance outcomes of this therapy approach.

One promising development is a drug used in combination with laser light therapy to help stop leaky abnormal blood vessels associated with wet macular degeneration. VISUDYNE, commonly known by its brand name verteporfin for injection, is a photodynamic agent that travels in the bloodstream until reaching eye cells where it absorbs abnormal retinal blood vessels before being activated by laser light to stop further leakage.

Current wet macular degeneration patients receiving anti-VEGF therapies need to visit their eye care professional or doctor on a monthly or bimonthly basis for injections of their medication, which can be an obstacle in receiving treatment they need. Therefore, researchers at Harvard have developed an app called iSight which allows doctors and patients to schedule these visits remotely – simply press one button on the app’s button-schedule feature! In addition, patients can send photos of their eyes directly to their doctors for consultation without physically coming into their appointments or visiting physically visiting medical clinics!

Other Treatments

Macular degeneration affects the macula, an area of retina in the back of your eye that allows you to clearly see fine details. It can cause distortion and darkness at the center of your field of vision while your peripheral (outer) vision remains undamaged. Although macular degeneration generally leads to progressive central vision loss over time, you will still be able to drive, walk, read and take part in other activities safely.

There are two types of macular degeneration: dry and wet. Wet macular degeneration results when abnormal blood vessels form under the retina and leak blood and fluid into it, leading to blurry or wavy lines in your vision and potentially leading to loss of straight-ahead vision.

Laser treatment can help destroy abnormal, leaking blood vessels under the retina through photocoagulation, which is used to improve vision while decreasing risk for further vision decline. Unfortunately, however, this does not restore any lost sight.

Drugs that prevent new blood vessel growth (anti-VEGF treatments) may help stop leakage and bleeding under the retina, known as retinal detachment. They’re given through monthly eye injections directly into the eye; and while these medicines may help stop or slow wet macular degeneration in most people, their injections are an inconvenience and don’t address all forms of macular degeneration.

Faricimab-svoa (Vabysmo), recently approved by the FDA, targets and inhibits both pathways associated with diabetic macular edema and neovascular age-related macular degeneration – potentially providing faster results with less injections than current therapies.

Nutritional supplements may also aid in slowing the progression of macular degeneration in certain individuals, including high doses of antioxidant vitamins such as Vitamin C and E, lutein, and zeaxanthin and zinc.