Treatment options exist to prevent further loss of vision and to enhance central (straight-ahead) vision quality. They work by slowing the progression of macular degeneration and, in some cases, may restore vision altogether.

An intravitreal injection is widely considered the go-to treatment for wet macular degeneration, providing safe in-office care with minimal discomfort for eyes.

Symptoms

Macular degeneration refers to any condition where there is a gradual breakdown or deterioration of the macula – an area located within your retina at the back of your eye that provides central vision, enabling you to clearly view fine details and perform daily activities such as reading or driving. Macular degeneration may cause blurriness, dark areas, or distortion in straight lines within your visual field that are ultimately disabling and cause impairment of daily activities such as these.

Macular degeneration may initially be difficult to notice. As the condition advances, however, it can result in significant central vision loss affecting one or both eyes – though rarely leading to complete blindness; many individuals with advanced macular degeneration continue using peripheral vision instead.

Wet macular degeneration (WMD) is an aggressive form of the condition, characterised by abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina at the back of your eye that leak fluid or blood into your central vision and blur it significantly. WMD accounts for 10% of cases of macular degeneration and can progress quickly over time.

Anti-VEGF injections have shown to significantly enhance vision for up to 40% of those suffering from wet macular degeneration, making the treatment even more beneficial. Any significant changes in vision should be reported immediately to a health care provider for assessment and possible intervention.

Your doctor will inject medication directly into the jelly-like fluid inside of your eye (vitreous). This simple process can be completed at your doctor’s office and takes 15-30 minutes. First, drops will be used to dilate (widen) the pupils before cleaning and numbing drops are used on your eyes before the needle injection of medicine causes minimal discomfort.

After an injection, your vision may temporarily become cloudier and black spots or dots moving when you move your eye may also occur due to temporary haemorrhaging in the surface of the eye which usually resolves within 24 hours. Sometimes a red spot may also develop which usually disappears within days.

Diagnosis

The eye is similar to a camera, featuring lenses and film layers which line the retina, which is a thin tissue responsible for transmitting pictures to the brain. One area of retina called the macula is responsible for central vision; age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a breakdown in this area which results in blurry, dim or dark areas of vision due to breakdown of its macula layer. There are two forms of AMD: dry and wet forms; wet AMD can develop when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath retina and leak fluid or even cause complete destruction of central part of retina which may lead to complete vision loss over time.

There is no known cure for wet macular degeneration; however, medications and laser light surgery may help slow vision loss in some instances. Medication can stop abnormal blood vessels from growing further; laser surgery uses painless laser beams to destroy these leaking blood vessels; combined treatments may even preserve more sight overall by using photodynamic therapy alongside these procedures.

Studies indicate that diets high in antioxidants may help decrease your risk of wet macular degeneration. Be sure to include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, nuts and seeds in your daily meals; your doctor may also suggest additional supplements such as vitamins C, E, Lutein Zeaxanthin Zinc Copper etc.

Legacy Eye Care’s team of specialists in South Hill, Chester and Colonial Heights Virginia provides macular degeneration screening, monitoring, and treatment services. Call Legacy Eye Care now to arrange your appointment! The doctors use state-of-the-art technology to diagnose macular degeneration as well as other eye diseases; their goal is to assist their patients in leading fulfilling lives while experiencing maximum quality of life.

Treatment

Treatment for wet macular degeneration involves administering medication via an eye injection, typically performed in-office with minimal discomfort. An ophthalmologist will use drops to numb the eye before cleaning and covering its surface with a sterile drape in order to avoid infection; they may also use a small clip (speculum). You will likely require multiple injections.

Macular degeneration is the breakdown of your retina’s macula, an area at the back of your eye that allows you to see fine details clearly and perform tasks such as driving and reading. Macular degeneration may lead to blurriness, dark areas or distortion in central vision but doesn’t affect side or peripheral vision, making threading needles or reading difficult but you should still be able to drive and carry out other duties without impairment.

Macular degeneration currently does not have a cure, but treatments exist which can slow its progress and even save vision in certain instances. These may include vitamin supplements, injections of medications or laser therapy depending on what’s best for each individual case – speak to your doctor to decide what might work for your situation.

Dry macular degeneration typically develops more slowly than wet AMD, with less severe vision loss. It often goes undetected until an eye exam identifies it; medication such as anti-angiogenesis drugs may help slow its progress.

Wet macular degeneration advances more quickly, leading to greater loss of central vision. It is caused by abnormal blood vessels developing beneath the retina which leak and cause fluid build-up causing vision acuity to decrease significantly. Furthermore, this form of macular degeneration often includes small deposits called “drusen” under the retina that contribute to vision degradation.

Wet macular degeneration may be treated using medications injected directly into the eye or laser surgery. Laser surgery uses a focused beam of light to slow or stop abnormal blood vessel growth and may improve vision in some patients; however, these treatments do not promise a complete solution and your vision may continue to worsen over time despite such measures being put into effect.

Follow-Up

Macular degeneration refers to the progressive degradation or breakdown of an area within your eye called the macula, responsible for central vision. If this area begins to break down it can result in blurriness, dark areas or distortion that make driving, reading and other tasks challenging. Macular degeneration does not lead to blindness since peripheral vision (your side and outside view) remains unchanged.

Condition is typically slow and can only be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam. It can be divided into three stages: early, intermediate and late. At first there may be no symptoms; during intermediate stage you may notice yellow protein deposits called “drusen” under your retina that form as yellow clumps that do not cause vision loss but do indicate disease progressing. Drusen do not usually result in vision loss but do indicate progress of disease.

As macular degeneration progresses to its late stage, you will notice a gradual worsening in your vision. Central vision may become blurry and difficulty seeing details like straight lines may become evident.

15 percent of those diagnosed with macular degeneration will eventually develop abnormal blood vessels underneath their retina and experience the wet form of macular degeneration, in which abnormal vessels bleed or leak fluid into the macula, leading to blind spots or blurred vision in central vision.

Treatment for wet AMD typically entails injecting medications into the eye that prevent new blood vessel growth and decrease fluid passage through them, known as vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors. Avastin is the most frequently prescribed VEGFI; other options such as Regeneron’s EYLEA injection are also widely used to combat macular degeneration, with injection via prefilled syringe.

To protect your vision, it’s best to follow your doctor’s advice for regular eye exams. Report any changes in vision immediately and schedule regular appointments – these appointments will allow doctors to detect and manage macular degeneration early.