There is no cure for dry macular degeneration, but regular dilated eye exams can reduce vision loss. Furthermore, taking high doses of antioxidants and zinc could slow its progress.

The wet form of AMD arises when abnormal blood vessels start growing beneath the retina and leaking. New anti-VEGF injections may help improve vision in many cases.

Anti-VEGF therapy

VEGF, a natural protein present in our bodies, stimulates abnormal blood vessel formation in some eye diseases. This leads to neovascular age-related macular degeneration resulting in low vision or blindness. Anti-VEGF drugs block their growth; typically administered via intravitreal injection. Although effective at slowing wet AMD progression, they do not restore lost vision nor cure patients of their condition, often necessitating regular injections from one month to the next – making frequent treatments necessary and often monthly injections necessary. A clinical trial sponsored by Genzyme offers another possible approach: gene therapy treatment approach.

This study seeks to create a drug that addresses the source of wet macular degeneration neovascularization: genetic mutation in retinal cells. Gene therapy employs AAV2 sFLT01 carrying anti-VEGF protein; administered sub-retinal. Furthermore, its goal is longer lasting treatment durability compared with existing anti-VEGF therapies.

In the initial phase of this clinical trial, 42 patients will each be administered one subretinal injection of ABBV-RGX-314 before being followed for two years to assess its safety. Early data have indicated that it appears safe and effective; furthermore, this trial marks the first time gene therapy that specifically targets one genetic mutation linked to wet AMD will be put through its paces.

Dr. Sodhi and his team have identified 172 proteins that can accurately predict whether patients will respond well to anti-VEGF therapy. One protein was chosen – APB100 – since its elevated levels have been found to decrease risk for macular degeneration in mice; mice with higher APB100 levels experienced less abnormal blood vessel growth in their retinas than mice with low levels.

Current treatments for wet macular degeneration involve injecting VEGF blocks – medications which inhibit blood vessel growth and bleeding in the retina – into an eye to stop wet macular degeneration progress and preserve vision loss. This treatment method is safer and more effective than laser surgery or steroid injections which may cause cataracts or increase risk for glaucoma.

Photodynamic therapy

Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is a condition in which light-sensing cells within the macula begin to malfunction and eventually stop working altogether, eventually leading to central vision loss in people over 50. While both eyes may experience symptoms simultaneously, their severity can differ. There are two forms of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration is the more prevalent form and usually does not result in sudden vision loss. Wet macular degeneration happens when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak blood and fluid into it, leading to sudden vision loss. Wet ARMD, though much less common than its dry counterpart, can progress rapidly and is harder to treat than its dry equivalent.

Photodynamic therapy offers an innovative solution for wet macular degeneration. It utilizes light energy in combination with an injectable photosensitizer drug that only becomes harmful when activated by light, and combined with non-thermal laser technology to seal leaky blood vessels in the eye. While photodynamic therapy may help stabilize and improve vision in some patients with wet ARMD, it should not be seen as a cure; regular examinations, OCT scans, fluorescein angiograms, injection therapy treatments as well as regular exams can all help to slow progression of wet ARMD progression.

Anti-angiogenic injections such as Lucentis, Avastin and Eylea are among the most advanced treatments for wet AMD and are administered via intravitreal injection directly into the eye. These medications block an enzyme known as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which promotes abnormal blood vessel formation associated with wet AMD. Results typically prove positive; results often result in stabilized or even improved vision if taken at regular intervals; effectiveness decreases over time so regular follow up is vital.

Anti-VEGF injections

Although a number of conditions can lead to fluid leaking from blood vessels in the retina, wet age-related macular degeneration is the most frequently experienced cause. It results in abnormal blood vessel growth in the macula and rapidly progressive vision loss; anti-VEGF injections help stop their expansion by stopping further fluid leakage through small needle injections called intravitreal injections; this procedure usually happens quickly and painlessly.

Once your eye is numbed, an ophthalmologist will administer an injection directly into the vitreous gel inside of your eye. While you may feel some slight pressure during this procedure, this is normal.

Drugs injected into the eye are designed to combat vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is a protein responsible for encouraging new blood vessel formation. While VEGF plays an important role in wound healing and other body processes, excessive levels in retinal areas may lead to abnormal vessel growth that results in leakage leading to vision loss.

Anti-VEGF injections have revolutionized treatment for wet AMD, yet can become an unnecessary burden on patients and physician practices alike. Missed appointments due to this regimen could worsen vision for these individuals.

As repeated injections can also cause discomfort for patients during initial therapy stages, Susvimo was designed to address this issue. Approved for use by the FDA and operating similar to contact lenses, Susvimo implants are placed into your eye at an office visit and continue releasing ranibizumab into it over six months.

However, the findings from these studies were limited to small groups of patients and did not accurately represent all wet AMD patients. Prior to making any broader recommendations about pausing anti-VEGF injections, randomized clinical trials with larger numbers of participants must take place first.

Intravitreal injections

Intravitreal injection is a treatment used to deliver medication directly into the eye. Performed in a doctor’s office and completely painless, intravitreal injection allows doctors to deliver medicine directly into your eye without needing anesthesia or topical anesthetics. After cleaning and numbing the area of interest, your eye is held open with an electronic device until medication can be injected through a needle about pencil-point sized. Most commonly this combination comprises anti-VEGF drugs which prevent blood vessels from growing and leaking within retina, and steroids which reduce inflammation to accelerate healing processes and speed up healing times –

Wet macular degeneration is one of the fastest-progressing forms of age-related macular degeneration and should be addressed immediately if any changes in your central vision occur. Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels form underneath retina in macula region and leak blood and fluid into its center, leading to rapid vision loss.

Good news is that there are now a variety of effective treatments for wet macular degeneration, including injections and photodynamic therapy. While these therapies won’t restore lost central vision, they may help slow its progression so as to extend independence as long as possible.

If you have wet macular degeneration, it’s essential that you follow your physician’s advice and undergo routine eye exams. In addition, OCT scans or fluorescein angiography tests may be needed periodically in order to monitor progress and ensure treatment is working effectively.

Important to keep in mind is the risk associated with intravitreal injections despite their effectiveness, including rare cases of endophthalmitis (a serious eye infection that may lead to blindness if left untreated promptly). If symptoms such as sudden redness that worsens not bettering after receiving an injection or severe eye pain or extreme light sensitivity are experienced after injection, contact your physician immediately and visit an emergency room with physician on-call immediately.