Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible blindness among those over 50, as the macula becomes thinner with age and protein deposits called drusen form, eventually leading to central vision loss and irreparable blindness.

Wet AMD occurs when new, abnormal blood vessels form underneath the retina and bleed or leak fluid, leading to severe vision loss and, potentially, legal blindness.

Injections

Treatment for wet AMD typically entails injecting anti-VEGF drugs directly into the eye to slow its progression by inhibiting blood vessel growth. At present, injections must be repeated every month in order to improve vision in patients suffering from wet AMD; however, new technology may provide safer and more convenient delivery methods of these medications.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham have created an innovative method of administering eyedrop medications using cell-penetrating peptides instead of needles to deliver medication directly into the eye. Initial laboratory research shows this approach to be equally effective as injection.

Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which involves abnormal blood vessels leaking fluid and leading to retinal scarring, leads to rapid and severe loss of vision faster than its dry form. Affecting approximately 10% of people diagnosed with AMD, wet AMD accounts for 90% of legal blindness caused by AMD.

Wet AMD occurs when abnormally high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF), two proteins which promote new abnormal blood vessel formation in the retina, are produced. Once created, these blood vessels bleed and lift the macula up onto it, creating macular edema or fluid build-up beneath the retina.

One early symptom of wet AMD is straight lines appearing crooked due to an accumulation of fluid under the retina, while another sign may include blind spots appearing at random throughout your visual field. Smoking and family history of AMD can both increase your chances of wet AMD.

Ranibizumab, an anti-VEGF agent that inhibits blood vessel growth, is one of the most effective wet AMD treatments. Typically available as an intravitreal injection administered monthly, recently it has also been approved as an implant dubbed Susvimo from Genentech that delivers continuous dosing of ranibizumab medication.

Laser Surgery

Laser surgery uses high-intensity beams of light that are precisely focused to correct various conditions or abnormalities. Lasers may also be used to treat gynecological issues like ovarian cysts, polycystic ovaries and heavy menstrual bleeding. Laser therapy has also proven useful in treating birthmarks such as port-wine stains and treating conditions such as scleroderma, polycystic kidney disease and genital warts. This type of surgical technology can be dangerous due to its hazardous by-product: smoke from burning dead and living cells can irritate ocular and upper respiratory passages of health care personnel, while also interfering with monitoring procedures, potentially blocking vision or leading to vision obstruction and injury for patients.

Wet macular degeneration occurs when new blood vessels form underneath the retina, lifting it from its normal position at the back of the eye and potentially leaking blood and fluid, leading to rapid vision loss. Current therapies for wet AMD include repeated injections of drugs that inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), such as Regeneron’s Eylea and Avastin (bevacizumab) or Genentech’s Lucentis and Vabysmo.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), an experimental treatment for wet macular degeneration, may offer longer-lasting relief than its current methods. PDT involves combining verteporfin with laser light at specific wavelengths in order to produce reactive oxygen species which break down existing blood vessels and limit further expansion; multiple medical groups, including the National Eye Institute are presently exploring this approach.

Healthcare professionals can assess a patient’s macula during an ophthalmic exam by conducting a simple grid test to observe whether straight lines appear crooked or blurry. To take part, one eye at a time focuses on the central dot of a grid located about 1 foot away, and distortions or loss of central vision is then evaluated by using this grid test. Furthermore, early changes that indicate progression from dry AMD to wet AMD such as presence of drusen can also be detected with an ophthalmoscope.

Dietary Changes

Wet AMD may be less prevalent than dry AMD, but its aggressive symptoms often lead to rapid vision loss. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels form under the retina and begin leaking fluid, swelling it up and distorting vision resulting in blurry and distorted lines on an Amsler chart or blind spots appearing nearer the centre of your field of vision. However, treatment usually prevents further loss.

Treatment for wet AMD involves inhibiting the formation of new blood vessels by administering regular monthly injections of an anesthetic-free medication directly into the eye. These injections should not cause any discomfort; OCT (optical coherence tomograph) machines measure thickness of retina and identify any areas where fluid accumulation has taken place; accordingly injections are adjusted so as not to leak into macula and cause further vision loss.

There is evidence to support that diets containing certain foods can slow the progression of dry AMD. Patients should strive to avoid smoking, maintain a healthy weight, eat fish rich in Omega 3, consume green leafy vegetables like spinach, curly kale, and broccoli regularly and take vitamin supplements that contain antioxidants like vitamins C & E, zinc as well as carotenoids like lutein & zeaxanthin.

As there is no current cure for dry AMD, it’s vital to recognize its warning signs in order to seek early treatment should any symptoms appear. Regular visits to your eye doctor are also important so they can use an Amsler chart and look out for any wavy lines which indicate wet AMD progression; one telltale sign of wet AMD is when straight lines begin appearing wavy and this can eventually lead to blind spots in vision loss.

Vitamin Supplements

If you have been diagnosed with dry AMD, taking antioxidant-rich vitamin supplements such as Vitamin C and E as well as eating more green vegetables and fruit may help slow the progression into wet macular degeneration. Furthermore, regular visits to your physician as well as self-assessments using an Amsler grid will also be invaluable in managing symptoms.

Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and macula and begin leaking fluid, damaging and dissolving macula tissue permanently, creating blind spots in central vision. Early treatment with anti-VEGF drugs injected intravitreally may help improve and preserve vision in those suffering wet AMD.

Westside Eye Clinic can offer these injections, typically given on an ongoing basis. Westside Eye Clinic utilizes several anti-VEGF medications approved to treat wet AMD such as Avastin, Lucentis and Eylea that are injected directly into the eye with a fine needle; most patients who undergo these treatments will retain their vision even though they may require injections for life.

Aspirin, warfarin, and Pradaxa can increase your risk of eye bleeding and consequently wet AMD. If unsure on how best to manage them it is wise to consult your GP/cardiologist; additionally taking supplements containing lutein/zeaxanthin/omega-3s may also help lower this risk; but this has yet to prove visual improvements.