ARMD typically results from light-sensitive cells dying and depositing deposits known as drusen under the retina, leading to hazy vision with straight lines appearing crookedly.

Wet eye macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and leak fluid that damages the macula, leading to rapid vision loss in central vision areas.

Drusen

Drusen are yellow deposits in the macula caused by tissue thin-out. While drusen do not cause vision loss directly, they increase your risk for more severe wet form of macular degeneration. Straight lines may become wavy and individuals may notice an expanding blind spot in the middle of their field of vision due to fewer cells functioning effectively in their macula, leading to central vision loss. Macular degeneration at this stage is usually not painful and does not impact peripheral or side vision, however people should continue monitoring their central vision each day with an Amsler grid and consult their ophthalmologist (Eye M.D) immediately if any changes arise, since dry macular degeneration can quickly progress into wet macular degeneration which causes rapid vision loss over a short timeframe.

About 85-90% of those suffering from macular degeneration have the dry form, where macular tissue thins as tiny protein clumps known as drusen form in the macula and cause progressive central vision loss. Although less severe than wet form ARMD, no treatment exists to halt or reverse its progression.

Wet ARMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels begin to proliferate under the retina and leak fluid or blood, known as choroidal neovascularization or CNV. As they expand they form scars below the retina that damage maculae quickly leading to rapid loss of vision. Although less common than its dry form counterpart, wet ARMD is much more serious and should be taken seriously.

No cure exists for wet eye macular degeneration; however, antioxidant vitamins and zinc have been proven to slow its progress in some patients. A new treatment option known as photodynamic therapy allows doctors to identify leaky blood vessels by injecting fluorescent dye directly into one’s eye before taking photographs of retinal photos containing fluorescent dye injected through eyedrops; photodynamic therapy may help slow vision loss over time and even improve some patients’ vision in certain instances of wet macular degeneration.

Abnormal Blood Vessels

Wet eye macular degeneration differs significantly from its dry counterpart in that abnormal blood vessels form under the retina and leak fluid or blood into it, leading to distortion or loss of central vision. About 10-20% of those living with ARMD will eventually progress to wet macular degeneration causing faster and more severe vision loss than its dry form.

Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina in the choroid layer, and leak fluid or blood into the macula, leading to blurred or distorted vision and severe, rapid loss of central vision. New blood vessels form and leak even more, scarring macula further due to what’s called “choroidal neovascularization”; weak blood vessels leak fluid or blood into macular degeneration as a result.

There is hope in knowing there are treatments available for wet macular degeneration to slow further vision loss, including medications injected directly into the eye and laser light treatment. Unfortunately, however, such care requires monthly trips to an eye doctor’s office for injections; unfortunately this may become a barrier for some patients suffering from it resulting in missed appointments and worsening of vision over time.

Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have discovered that as many as one-third of those living with wet eye macular degeneration may be able to discontinue monthly injections without experiencing further vision loss. Their study involved administering medication into their eye to slow blood vessel growth and block leakages that damage vision, among 106 participants with wet eye macular degeneration who received regular shots in their eye for this condition.

The study involved conducting various tests to ascertain if anti-VEGF agents, or medications known as antineoplastic agents, were effectively reducing the size and preventing leaks of new blood vessels forming under the retina. Doctors then tested patients’ vision over one year – about 30% showed improvement – which is promising; however randomized clinical trials with larger groups must occur first before any recommendations regarding pausing anti-VEGF therapy can be made.

Pressure on the Macula

Under wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels form and leak fluid into the macula, dislocating its normal position and leading to severe and rapid central vision loss. Therefore, patients diagnosed with wet macular degeneration should undergo regular examinations, OCT scans, fluorescein angiography tests as well as injection therapy treatment plans in order to maintain optimal vision health.

Although we still don’t fully understand what causes wet eye macular degeneration, it is likely due to genetic mutations, smoking, high cholesterol levels and blood pressure issues. A diet high in antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin may help lower risk. Such antioxidants can be found in food sources such as kale, raw spinach and collard greens – or they are available as nutritional supplements.

Macular degeneration typically manifests itself through blurred vision that worsens over time. You may also notice a blind spot at the center of your field of vision due to light-sensing cells no longer functioning in your macula.

Dry macular degeneration occurs when retinal layers start to thin and yellow deposits form under the retina called drusen, leading to decreased central vision gradually over time. As the disease advances, macular thickness thins further as well. Ultimately this disease could reduce macula thickness further still until your central vision slowly fades away.

Those suffering from wet macular degeneration must visit their ophthalmologist immediately. Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid will continue to form, eventually leading to permanent loss of central vision.

Medical treatments for wet macular degeneration can slow its progress, though they cannot restore lost vision. Your ophthalmologist will recommend the most suitable plan tailored specifically to your individual needs; injection therapies like bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and pegaptanib have proven successful at slowing the formation of new blood vessels thereby protecting vision. Regular dilated retinal exams can detect early symptoms so patients with wet macular degeneration receive timely care; regular monitoring with an Amsler grid could indicate early indications that indicate signs of wet eye macular degeneration onset.

Treatment

Early detection and treatment of wet eye macular degeneration increases your chance of saving some or all of your vision. Scheduling regular dilated eye exams is the best way to detect signs of macular degeneration or any other conditions which might interfere with vision loss.

Treatment options for wet macular degeneration include medications injected directly into the eye to stop blood vessel growth and reduce leakage of fluid under the retina. These drugs, known as VEGF blocks (Macugen, Avastin and Lucentis), work by blocking proteins that stimulate abnormal blood vessel growth associated with wet AMD. Some individuals who experience wet AMD may also benefit from laser surgery – it involves painlessly directing a beam of light towards any new blood vessels causing macular degeneration to destroy them; unfortunately it only works in certain individuals; and does not bring back any vision lost due to wet AMD.

Researchers are exploring innovative therapies for wet macular degeneration (WMD), such as gene therapy and stem cell transplants. These new approaches show promise in reducing abnormal blood vessel formation associated with Wet AMD while simultaneously improving visual outcomes of those living with it.

Current treatment protocols for wet AMD typically call for injections of anti-VEGF medication every month to limit abnormal blood vessel growth and prevent further vision loss. Unfortunately, many people with wet AMD may be reluctant to travel long distances or make multiple visits every month for these injections – leading to missed treatments and further vision loss.

Fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) may also be performed to assess wet macular degeneration, and involve injecting yellow dye into one vein in your arm and taking pictures as it travels through blood vessels before being photographed on your retina. An OCT exam uses special machine that scans your retina in high resolution images that show whether there are abnormal new blood vessels growing underneath your retina that leak fluid, among other characteristics.