Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive condition that can result in central vision loss. Straight lines such as door frames or lampposts may appear warped; their appearance could become blurry over time.

AMD may either be dry (nonexudative) or wet (exudative), with the latter type displaying abnormal blood vessel growth. Your eye doctor may advise laser photocoagulation to address wet AMD; this procedure involves injecting abnormal blood vessels with medication that makes them susceptible to laser light.

Drugs

Eye injections are the go-to therapy for wet AMD, targeting the blood vessels which are growing and leaking fluid into the eye, leading to damage of light sensitive cells in the retina, leading to central vision loss in wet AMD. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs aflibercept (Eylea), bevacizumab (Avastin), and ranibizumab (Lucentis) are among those commonly prescribed as treatments, with other possible candidates such as angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2).

These injections have proven extremely successful at improving vision in many patients and should be given every 4-8 weeks for maximum effect. Current research is focused on finding medications which require less frequent injections to make treatment more convenient for both patient and eye clinic.

Dry AMD usually progresses more slowly than wet AMD; however, in rare cases it may progress rapidly due to retinal pigment epithelium degeneration triggering abnormal blood vessels known as wet AMD from appearing underneath the retina and leaking blood and fluid causing permanent vision loss.

Early treatment of wet AMD can protect vision. Without intervention, this form of AMD progresses quickly and may lead to blindness within weeks. Anti-VEGF treatments reduce leakage and bleeding, stabilize vision and in some cases may even restore sight in those suffering from wet macular degeneration.

Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago have created a chemical compound which they believe may slow the progression of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as reported in Cell Reports Medicine. Their compound can be administered via eyedrops making it an attractive alternative to current treatments for AMD; their work could have significant ramifications for millions who suffer from AMD worldwide.

Surgery

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) occurs when abnormal blood vessels form underneath the retina in a process called choroidal neovascularization and leak fluid into the macula, creating central blind spots (scotomas). Wet AMD can quickly progress leading to severe vision loss within days, though new medications targeting this new blood vessel growth are available to treat it.

The dry late stage of macular degeneration is less serious than its wet form, as it leads to the central part of your macula becoming thinner over time, eventually leading to gradual loss of central vision. Treatment options exist and a qualified eye care provider can advise you about which ones may work for your eyes.

When dealing with wet eye disease, your doctor can assist in preventing further vision loss by giving intravitreal injections directly into your eye. These injections involve directly injecting medicine that blocks harmful signals that contribute to abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina; an anti-VEGF drug may often be prescribed.

Photodynamic therapy, a relatively painless laser procedure in your eye, may also be effective against wet AMD. This treatment option typically goes alongside injections, and involves exposing your eye to an inactive dye which becomes active when exposed to light; specifically a laser light which targets only abnormal blood vessels; this combination works together to destroy them and help manage AMD symptoms.

Recently, breakthroughs in treating wet AMD have come through new medications which work by inhibiting abnormal blood vessel growth, offering new hope in maintaining vision loss prevention. Although this may not cure your condition entirely and needs to be followed up on by eye health professionals for best results, these new drugs offer hope to many. They can significantly decrease the risk of severe vision loss in wet AMD.

Optical Coherence Tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT), is an advanced imaging technique that utilizes light waves to create high-resolution cross-sectional images of the retina and other structures within the eye. Since its invention by an OHSU Casey Eye Institute physician-scientist in 1991, OCT has revolutionized how patients with macular degeneration and other serious eye conditions are diagnosed, monitored and treated.

Patients suffering from wet form late AMD (exudative) and severe macular edema, as evidenced by exudation and hemorrhage caused by abnormal blood vessel growth within the choroidal plexus below retina, experience loss of visual function due to macula disorder; Amsler test revealed an irregular grid of straight lines and no central fixation point present (central scotoma); on OCT imaging they also displayed visible blood vessel expansion along with areas of retinal thickening known as drusen.

One patient with wet form late AMD who received treatment with VEGF inhibitors to slow its progression has reported on OCT that their injection of antiangiogenic agents have effectively decreased retinal leakage, stabilizing and improving his vision in turn.

Close coordination with a retina specialist is vital to treating AMD successfully, as both forms are progressive and irreversible. Your physician will monitor how your medication affects your eyes, monitor for complications that arise with it and evaluate your vision. They may also recommend additional tests like fluorescein angiography or indocyanine green angiography which allow doctors to better see blood vessels and fluid circulation within the retina than OCT scans can.

If you suspect macular degeneration, the best course of action is to visit Wolfe Eye Clinic immediately. We use Optomap scanner to examine your eyes with one quick, painless test that shows your retinal layers and nerve fiber layer underneath – enabling our retina specialist to partner with you to reduce the likelihood of wet AMD as well as decrease its severity and prevent further vision loss.

Amsler Grid

Amsler Grids are an inexpensive yet convenient tool that enable patients to monitor their own central vision for distortions. Resembling graph paper, these grids feature black lines on white backgrounds with a central dot for fixation – an Amsler grid is intended to detect missing or wavy lines in central vision that could indicate early macular degeneration that may be treatable – so anyone experiencing these symptoms should immediately contact their eye care professional.

The Amsler grid can help patients with both wet and dry macular degeneration monitor their progress more closely, though it should not replace professional eye exams. When conducting this test, make sure it takes place in a quiet place with adequate lighting; follow a consistent method for viewing each time since eccentric fixation or perceptual completion (a psychophysical phenomenon whereby gaps in visual information from other parts of the field fill-in scotomas with information from elsewhere) can change how a patient perceives vision defects subjectively.

Amsler grid testing can help patients detect symptoms of fluid leakage under the retina, an early indicator of wet macular degeneration. When left untreated, leaks may lead to the death of surrounding photoreceptors and scarring in the macula; early detection increases chances of effective laser surgery treatment to preserve vision and avoid further loss.

Patients suffering from wet AMD can suddenly lose vision, making early detection with an Amsler grid essential. Early treatment with medications or laser therapy, combined with swift intervention to slow or stop progression. Individuals with large drusen and advanced disease in one eye should monitor their vision daily and be ready to present to an eye care professional as soon as they notice changes – especially those experiencing sudden loss. It is recommended that wet AMD patients seek professional medical advice if experiencing sudden vision loss as this could indicate the presence of new neovascular lesions – in case this can indicate presence.