AMD may go undetected until blurry central vision appears. A regular eye exam that includes dilation of pupils can detect AMD early.

VISUDYNE is the latest drug available for treating wet AMD, stopping abnormal blood vessels from leaking. Additionally, this treatment may improve vision.

Anti-VEGF Injections

Wet AMD occurs when an overproduction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes abnormal blood vessel growth that leaks fluid onto the macula, decreasing central vision over time. Drugs to block VEGF and slow their development are often prescribed; injections may occur as often as monthly with your doctor numbing your eye before each treatment session; these medications may reduce fluid build-up, improve your vision, or help prevent further vision loss.

Anti-VEGF drugs like Avastin, Lucentis and Eylea are available. All are safe and effective treatments, with most patients experiencing improved or stabilized vision after one year of injections; however, many must continue with them to maintain good eyesight.

These drugs block VEGF to prevent new blood vessels from sprouting that could result in further fluid leaks from the retina, improving visual acuity and slowing progression of wet AMD. Although over time their effectiveness may decline, laser surgery may help address abnormal vessels responsible for fluid loss due to wet AMD.

Recent research conducted at Tulane University focused on predictors of intravitreal anti-VEGF injection pain, one of the most frequent ophthalmic procedures. Researchers discovered that patients with higher injection SCR amplitudes and baseline state anxiety levels were more likely to report pain during and after receiving their injections, suggesting clinicians can enhance patient experiences through pain assessment tools, clear verbal instructions for avoiding contact with eyes, as well as advice about self-management strategies such as applying topical ice.

Laser surgery may also help slow the progression of wet AMD, and can be performed at your doctor’s office. A surgeon uses laser light to destroy abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid. Laser treatment is less invasive than anti-VEGF injections but won’t address what’s causing fluid buildup in the eye.

Laser Surgery

The macula of the retina provides sharp central vision. If it breaks down due to macular degeneration (AMD), your vision may begin to blur or darken, although AMD itself cannot lead to blindness; treatment options can slow the loss of central vision while improving it in some cases. At UF Health retina specialists are experts in both dry and wet forms of macular degeneration treatment options.

Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels form underneath the retina and leak blood and fluid. This causes macula elevation from its regular place at the back of the eye, causing rapid loss of central vision. A drug called verteporfin (VISUDYNE) works by restricting new blood vessel growth while decreasing leakage from macula cells – it is available with valid prescription and may be combined with eye injections as a form of treatment for wet AMD.

UF Health offers a laser procedure that can assist with wet AMD’s leaky retina by inserting a catheter to create a small hole into which fluid leaks out, followed by the use of laser therapy to clear it away. All without harming other parts of the eye.

Photodynamic therapy, another form of laser surgery, may also help treat wet AMD. During this procedure, verteporfin is injected into an arm vein and travels throughout the body before reaching new blood vessels in the eye. A light is then shone on both eyes for 90 seconds to activate this drug which closes blood vessels more rapidly; this slows down vision loss caused by wet AMD; however it cannot restore lost sight.

A YAG laser can also be used to eliminate abnormal blood vessels in the eye. This helps avoid choroidal neovascularization, an age-related macular degeneration complication which can lead to permanent vision loss.

YAG lasers are frequently employed in medical procedures to break down and remove tumors, stop bleeding vessels from burst and perform various cosmetic surgery procedures such as removing birthmarks and tattoos.

Fluorescein Angiography

Fluorescein angiography is an eye test used to visualize blood flow within the retinal and choroid layers (which form the back of your eye). A dye injection into one vein in your arm or hand travels via blood vessels until reaching its final destination at the back of your eye; multiple flash photographs and videos are then taken, enabling doctors to visually observe both dye and vessels present therein. Multiple flash photographs and videos are also taken, which allow them to see exactly where all this has gone; it may detect abnormal new blood vessel formation present due to macular degeneration; additionally it may help us determine the most effective treatments tailored specifically to you and your individual condition.

For this test, you will sit in front of a camera with a chin rest and forehead support bar to keep your head steady. We then apply drops that cause pupil dilation; after which a doctor will inject dye – usually yellow (fluorescein). When we inject fluorescein dye into the eye, pictures will be taken directly ahead from which can then be taken by the camera showing retina and choroidal blood vessel structures in real time using real time pictures taken by camera; this test can help diagnose diabetic retinopathy as well as macular degeneration as well retinal vein or artery occlusions; additionally green ICG dye can also be used by doctors for deeper examination of deeper choroidal circulation issues.

This test can detect dry macular degeneration, in which an area of retina breaks down gradually leading to gradual loss of central vision. Additionally, wet AMD (abnormal blood vessel formation resulting in fluid leakage under retina leading to rapid vision loss) may also be detected through this exam; treatments include laser surgery, anti-VEGF injections or any combination thereof as well as slowing the rate of vision loss through vitamins and minerals for preservation. We offer optical coherence Tomography imaging which gives highly detailed images of retina and macula structures!

Optical Coherence Tomography

Optic coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging technique which provides noninvasive cross-sectional visualization of biological systems. Based on interferometry detection of optical backscattering, OCT has an infinite depth penetration limited only by tissue attenuation and attenuated light transmission rates. OCT’s ability to capture an array of structures within the eye with high resolution and clarity has made it indispensable for diagnosis, surveillance and intervention guidance in various fields including ophthalmology.

ARMD is one of the leading causes of blindness among adults over 60 and occurs when macula tissue breaks down, leading to central vision loss. Although there is no cure, treatments exist that may help slow its progression and even improve vision in some patients. Anti-VEGF injections and laser therapy are two effective options available to combating ARMD. Treatment goals should focus on optimizing visual results while still meeting therapeutic tolerability needs.

Dry AMDR occurs when light-sensing cells of the retina break down, leading to blurry vision or even small blind spots to form in either eye. Wet AMDR, on the other hand, involves sudden blood vessel appearance under the retina that rapidly reduces vision loss. For early detection and to avoid rapid loss of sight it is wise to schedule regular eye examinations with your ophthalmologist.

At an OCT exam, your doctor will use beams of light to scan the retina – the paper-thin tissue on the back of the eye that sends visual signals directly to the brain – without pain and with just dilation of your pupils required for optimal results. OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) provides detailed images of the eye’s layers and allows doctors to evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, which may indicate glaucoma. An OCT scan typically takes only 20 minutes and should be scheduled during a standard eye exam visit. Optical coherence tomography uses a low-coherence interferometer to create two dimensional, spatially resolved images of tissue microstructure in real time by measuring the delay of echo of reflected light. Its penetration depth is only limited by attenuation in tissue and it can measure thickness of biological layers with resolutions up to 15 microns.