People living with wet AMD develop abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid under the retina, blurring central vision. Eye care professionals treat this form of AMD by targeting vulnerable blood vessels with a powerful laser beam in order to destroy them.

The AREDS study followed the natural progression of AMD by inviting living participants back for annual dilated eye examinations, in addition to performing optical coherence tomography angiography tests.

Vitamins

nutritional supplements may help slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. While its exact cause remains unknown, experts speculate it is related to oxidative stress caused by an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your system. Antioxidant vitamins and minerals can combat this imbalance and protect cells in your eyes from damage; however it’s best to consume a diet rich in these essential nutrients before considering supplements as a solution.

The inaugural large scientific study to focus on AMD found that people taking an antioxidant vitamin and zinc formulation at early stage significantly decreased their risk for advanced macular degeneration and vision loss. This formulation included 500 milligrams of vitamin C, 400 international units (IU) of vitamin E, 2 mg of copper and 80 mg of zinc; its results led to the Age-Related Eye Disease Study II or AREDS 2. AREDS2’s findings demonstrated that adding carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin or omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to this formula further reduced advanced AMD risk by approximately 25%.

This treatment works well for those living with the dry form of the disease, caused by retinal detachment or breakdown, deterioration and subsequent blurring in central vision as a result of retinal atrophy; peripheral vision remains intact though central vision blurring can occur; however. Neovascular or wet form disease requires injections into both eyes to stop any leakage of blood vessels from further damaging eye tissue.

No matter whether it is wet or dry macular degeneration, annual exams with an ophthalmologist are critical in order to detect disease early and possibly avoid vision loss. Family histories should take special note in scheduling regular visits so their ophthalmologist can advise them on the most suitable course of action. If difficulty focusing is becoming apparent or your vision appears compromised immediately make an appointment with an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

Anti-angiogenesis drugs

Humans depend on angiogenesis for organ growth, wound healing and other physiological processes; however, abnormal angiogenesis can lead to disease processes like neovascular age-related macular degeneration. New blood vessel growth is stimulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Scientists have devised anti-angiogenic or angiogenesis inhibitor drugs which can be injected directly into the eye in order to inhibit this protein’s effects and stop pathological new blood vessel formation – these injections are known as anti-angiogenic or angiogenesis inhibitors.

Ranibizumab (Lucentis), approved by the FDA in June 2006, was the first drug specifically intended to treat wet AMD. Prior to that approval by FDA, many ophthalmologists had already been using an almost identical drug called bevacizumab based on results of some carefully controlled clinical trials – it specifically targets and neutralizes VEGF. Both treatments have proven themselves successful at slowing vision loss while even improving vision in some patients who had wet AMD.

Both drugs are administered monthly via injection by an ophthalmologist and continue to undergo evaluation in clinical trial systems, though not all side effects have yet been fully elucidated. As these medications can potentially damage blood vessels, they should not be prescribed to those suffering from certain medical conditions, including clotting disorders or severe bleeding issues; additionally they are not advised for women who may become pregnant during this treatment course.

Traditional chemotherapy drugs target all cells that divide rapidly, leading to side effects like mouth sores, diarrhea and hair loss. Anti-angiogenic drugs instead focus on cells generating new blood vessels – thus having less side effects and being less likely to create resistance from cancerous cells that often develop mutations making them immune against chemotherapy treatments.

Laser therapy

Laser therapy is an efficient, noninvasive solution that works at the cellular level to promote healing and alleviate inflammation, pain and swelling. By engaging with eye tissues directly, it creates a cascade of beneficial events including increased blood flow, cell regeneration and acceleration of healing acceleration.

Laser treatments for eye conditions like retinal vein occlusion, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy have become popular choices to treat complications related to wet AMD such as retinal tear or retinal detachment. Procedures take only minutes in your doctor’s office.

Laser photocoagulation involves your eye care provider shining a low-powered laser light into your eye to burn away any abnormal new blood vessels that form due to wet AMD. After burning away abnormal new vessels, medications are then administered to seal leaky ones in order to help prevent further vision loss; although you may still lose some central vision due to remaining vessels.

Another effective treatment for wet AMD is injecting Avastin (bevacizumab). This medicine blocks a protein thought to contribute to abnormal blood vessel growth associated with wet AMD, helping reduce its symptoms significantly while significantly slowing vision loss in those suffering from wet AMD. Avastin has proven its efficacy against vision loss from wet AMD patients.

Some doctors are currently testing ranibizumab (Lucentis), an experimental treatment for wet AMD similar to Macugen in that it targets the VEGF protein thought to play a part in macular degeneration by encouraging abnormal blood vessel formation.

Macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive condition affecting the retina, the thin layer of cells at the back of your eye that convert light into electrical signals. Your macula, the central area of your retina that provides central vision and allows you to perceive details clearly, is particularly susceptible. AMD can cause central vision to gradually deteriorate; in extreme cases severe vision loss may result. In its wet form abnormal blood vessels may form and lead to sudden painless loss.

Surgery

There are various treatments for wet macular degeneration available that may slow or even restore lost vision, including eye injections of medications, photodynamic therapy and laser surgery. All three therapies target abnormal blood vessels which leak fluid underneath the retina and target their growth as potential solutions.

An initial step in treating wet AMD is undergoing a comprehensive eye exam, during which your eye care provider can detect early signs of macular degeneration using optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT allows them to see through layers of retina and optic nerve and is completely painless and noninvasive.

Your doctor can assess the severity of wet AMD by performing a fluorescein angiography. During this process, dye is injected into your eye and images are captured as the dye passes through retinal blood vessels; images help your doctor identify leaky or abnormal vessels so they can use laser therapy to destroy these abnormal blood vessels and protect your retina from further damage.

Though there is no cure for wet macular degeneration, these treatments may help slow its progress and delay vision loss. If you have wet macular degeneration, regular visits to an eye care provider for evaluations and injections is highly advised as is quitting smoking and maintaining a diet rich in antioxidants and vegetables. Patients suffering from wet AMD may benefit from injections of anti-angiogenesis drugs like bevacizumab, ranibizumab or pegaptanib to help stop abnormal blood vessels from growing further thus slowing its progression.

While the exact cause of macular degeneration remains unknown, several risk factors increase your chance of macular degeneration such as age, family history of AMD, race and gender; women tend to be more prone than men. Preventative care can help safeguard vision loss due to AMD; consult your eye care provider about ways you can protect and manage symptoms more effectively.