The wet form of age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) can start suddenly. You won’t feel pain, but you might notice problems with your eyesight.
At first, you may simply notice blurred or distorted vision. With wet AMD, the details of the blurred vision could include a blind spot in the center of your field of vision. This blank area could be grey, red, or black. For example, if you look straight at the face of a clock that has hands, the numbers around the edge might look normal, but you might not be able to see the clock’s hands if you have this condition.
Another sign is that things look twisted or distorted, like you were seeing them in a mirror that’s out of shape.
Other symptoms may include:
- Straight lines may look wavy
- Not being able to see fine details clearly
- Trouble reading or seeing details in low light
- Glare might bother your eyes
- An object’s size or color may look different when seen with one eye than with the other
A variety of treatments are available for wet age-related macular degeneration. Successful treatment may not restore normal vision, but it will improve sight and prevent central vision loss from worsening. While laser procedures can destroy the abnormal blood vessels, they also damage neighboring retinal tissue.
Medications such as Eylea, Lucentis, and Macugen have become the preferred treatment for acute wet macular degeneration, helping to prevent the growth of leaky blood vessels in your eye. Subject to medical practitioners prescription, Eylea infusions are given initially every month for three months, subsequently the infusions are done every two months.
Prior to the availability of current treatments for wet macular degeneration, having this condition meant you were certain to experience significant vision loss.
Since this condition usually occurs in those who are ages 55 years and older, it’s also referred to as wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Now, thanks to research and innovation, ophthalmologists can slow and sometimes partially reverse wet AMD that’s caught early enough.
This means that if you’ve been diagnosed with wet AMD, it may be possible to preserve your vision.
Treating wet macular degeneration
Wet AMD is caused by abnormal blood vessel growth under your retina. These vessels leak fluid which can interfere with your central vision.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is what causes the extra blood vessel growth.
In some ways, VEGF is important. It triggers the growth of new blood vessels that help to heal wounds. However, in the retina of your eyes, too much VEGF can cause wet AMD.
Modern treatment breakthroughs for wet AMD are aimed at reducing this growth of abnormal blood vessels. They do this by blocking the action of VEGF in your eyes.
What’s NOT Wet AMD
Some eye problems may seem like signs of macular degeneration but aren’t. You need to see your eye doctor to find out what’s going on.
Floaters. These are dark specks that float around in the jelly-like stuff that fills your eye. They’re common and can cast shadows inside your eye. That may mimic the blank spot that AMD causes at the center of your vision. But floaters aren’t AMD symptoms.
Here’s one way to tell if your eye has floaters. If you move your eye quickly and then stop, a floater and its shadow will usually keep moving for a moment. Floaters are usually no problem. But if you have floaters and also see flashes at the edge of your field of view, that could signal a problem with the retina at the rear of your eye. Tell your eye doctor.
Late-onset retinal degeneration. With this condition, your vision is blurred and getting worse. Like AMD, this eye problem can start in your 50s or 60s. But late-onset retinal degeneration messes up your entire field of vision, while AMD mainly affects the center.
If You Have Dry AMD
Most people with AMD have the dry form, which usually does less damage to your vision. But the dry type can turn into the wet type. If you have dry AMD, be on guard for any changes in your eyesight, and get regular checkups with your eye doctor so you’re aware if it changes to wet AMD.
Port delivery systems
The port delivery system (PDS) is another way for a doctor to administer anti-VEGF medication. The PDS is a small, surgically implanted eye reservoir that holds medication for a controlled and continuous release into your eye.
A doctor refills the device using a specialized syringe. A PDS can hold several months’ worth of medication, which means fewer trips to the doctor’s office.
The PDS is still in trials and isn’t available yet for widespread use.
The takeaway
Wet AMD results in loss of central vision if left untreated. Fortunately, there are treatments available to help slow and even prevent vision loss.
If you have wet AMD, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) triggers the growth of abnormal blood vessels under your retina. When these vessels leak, you experience changes to your vision.
Treatment of wet AMD is aimed at blocking VEGF to help reduce the growth of leaky vessels.
Anti-VEGF medication is delivered into your eyes using regular injections. This protocol can be difficult to maintain, so treatment research is looking at other ways to stop the action of VEGF in your eyes.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of wet macular degeneration can prevent vision loss.
- The current treatment is regular injections of anti-VEGF medication into each affected eye.
- Research continues to find treatments that are easier to take than regular eye injections.
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SOURCE: https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/macular-degeneration/qa/what-are-the-treatments-for-wet-
macular-degeneration#:~:text=Medications%20such%20as%20Eylea%2C%20Lucentis,only%20once%20every%20thre
e%20months
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/macular-degeneration/wet-amd-signs-symptoms#1
https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/wet-macular-degeneration-treatment-breakthroughs
