Wet macular degeneration differs from dry AMD in that leaking blood vessels under the retina cause damage and destruction to central vision, manifesting with blurry or blind spots, distortion in vision or dark patches in your central field of vision as symptoms.

Bevacizumab, Lucentis or Avastin are monthly injections designed to block the chemical that triggers abnormal new blood vessel growth and may help halt progression of disease and even improve vision in some instances.

Medications

Medication used to treat wet macular degeneration is designed to stop abnormal blood vessels that form within the eye, preventing severe vision loss. With regular use, these drugs may prevent further vision damage.

Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels form within the choroid layer positioned behind the retina – known as choroidal neovascularization or CNV. These newly created vessels leak fluid that causes macula distortion such as bulging and lifting from its normal flat position – disrupting central vision, leading to distortion or destruction, as well as rapid vision loss.

New blood vessels often develop abnormal deposits called drusen, yellow spots that appear under the retina. When blood and fluid leakage occurs, a dark spot forms in your central vision with straight lines becoming wavy; wet macular degeneration is most frequently diagnosed among people who possess at least three risk factors for it: diabetes, family history of macular degeneration and age over 60.

These abnormal blood vessels are caused by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Anti-VEGF medications, such as bevacizumab, ranibizumab and pegaptanib can stop their formation by providing monthly or bimonthly injections directly into the eye.

Although these treatments are effective, they do not provide a permanent solution to wet macular degeneration. New blood vessels often return and the disease progresses further – this makes early detection essential and frequent dilated eye examinations essential.

Photodynamic therapy is one way for doctors to address wet macular degeneration. This process combines verteporfin with laser technology in order to kill abnormal blood vessels and stop them from growing back, giving hope to patients whose monthly anti-VEGF injections have not yielded results. With this procedure, a drug injection is given into an arm, followed by laser illumination of low energy into eyes which activates it; the chemical reaction caused destroys these abnormal blood vessels resulting in improved and even restored vision in about 15% of treated patients.

Laser Surgery

If you have wet macular degeneration, abnormal blood vessels start growing under your retina, leaking fluid and lifting your macula away from its usual position at the back of the eye, blurring or blindspotting your central vision. Wet AMD usually progresses more quickly and is more severe; without early diagnosis and treatment it could result in permanent central vision loss.

Photocoagulation may help slow vision loss in some wet AMD cases by firing an invisible beam of light at damaged areas on your retina and damaging new blood vessels, but this treatment cannot reverse existing damage or restore lost vision.

In wet AMD, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes abnormal blood vessel formation that leak and damage retina. Anti-VEGF injections given on a regular basis help block production of this protein and block further development of abnormal vessels – this therapy has proven successful at halting further vision loss in approximately 40% of wet AMD patients.

Photodynamic therapy may also provide relief from wet macular degeneration, employing a drug that absorbs and reacts with light to treat it. When this drug absorbs into the retina it is activated with non-thermal laser light activating specific receptors on its surface – this enables special laser light beams to close off abnormal blood vessels to prevent further leakage of fluid and subsequent vision loss in up to half of cases of wet macular degeneration.

An experienced eye doctor can diagnose wet macular degeneration during a dilated eye exam. The process is painless and usually takes about an hour. He/she may also perform tests using harmless dyes to identify abnormal blood vessels beneath the retina using bright spots of color in your eye as an indicator. He or she will recommend a treatment plan tailored specifically to you based on your individual needs and medical history.

Photodynamic Therapy

Disease progresses gradually and causes progressive loss of central vision, with straight lines becoming wavy or crooked and the blind spot growing larger, making reading and driving increasingly challenging. On the plus side, peripheral (side) vision usually remains clear.

There are various treatment options available to stop macular degeneration, particularly wet AMD. They focus on stopping abnormal new blood vessels forming underneath the retina in an area known as the macula; these blood vessels, known as choroidal neovascularization, may lead to fluid build-up that leads to swelling and scarring over time – even quickly enough that untreated conditions could result in permanent blindness.

Early detection is key when it comes to macular degeneration, and your doctor can recommend a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, lutein and zinc as part of an overall treatment strategy.

Medication may also be used to treat wet macular degeneration, specifically anti-VEGF injections. These injections can prevent or delay further loss of vision for those living with the condition by blocking the formation of new blood vessels forming at the macula. Anti-VEGF shots should be given promptly once abnormal blood vessels begin forming at the macula and quickly after any abnormalities appear on its surface.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin may provide another effective approach to wet macular degeneration treatment in certain instances. PDT combines light sensitive verteporfin medication and low energy laser light therapy to destroy abnormally leaking blood vessels under the retina – this procedure may be combined with anti-VEGF injections or used alone as part of its own strategy.

New technologies on the horizon could offer hope for treating age-related macular degeneration, whether that means dry AMD, wet AMD, or even reverse it back into dry AMD. Patients must still take their prescribed medications, maintain a nutritious diet, and attend routine eye exams; however, new therapies that stop or reverse macular degeneration at its early stages could dramatically enhance quality of life for individuals suffering from macular degeneration.

Other Options

There are various treatment options for wet macular degeneration that are designed to inhibit abnormal blood vessel growth (choroidal neovascularization) that leak fluid under the retina, known as “choroidal neovascularization.” These injections typically take the form of painless injections directly into one or both eyes. While they can help slow vision loss, they cannot restore previously lost sight; in fact, only about one out of three patients should see improvement after receiving this type of therapy.

At first, wet macular degeneration may not produce noticeable symptoms as new blood vessels form and fluid and waste deposits slowly degrade the macula. Over time however, patients may begin noticing their central vision has become blurry or straight lines have begun appearing wavy. These changes could be indicators of wet AMD progressing and should be evaluated immediately by an eye care provider. A simple visual test using an Amsler Grid may help detect such changes more efficiently. Fluorescein angiography may also be recommended, in which dye is injected into an arm vein and digital images of your retina are captured as it passes through blood vessels in your eye, showing any buildup or leakage that has taken place.

There are four FDA-approved treatments for wet macular degeneration to slow its progression. Laser treatment uses painless laser light to destroy leaking blood vessels near enough for targeting, without harming normal retina cells. Photodynamic therapy utilizes drugs activated by laser to destroy these leaking vessels; while this method may slow vision loss but should not lead to any improvements; only suitable when abnormal blood vessels have not spread into the center of macula.

Longevinex, which contains the purported anti-aging compound resveratrol, may help control wet macular degeneration in individuals at high risk for developing it. Unfortunately, however, only limited data were analyzed in this research study and further investigations will need to be completed to ascertain whether this promising approach can actually treat wet macular degeneration effectively in those at higher risk for its development. For more information about macular degeneration and how it should be treated contact Sumit Bhatia MD of Signature Retina Consultants Braidwood today for assistance.