Also called neovascular AMD, it occurs with the growth of new blood vessels that damage yourmacula.
This is the part of yourretinathat controls what you see straight in front of you.
The main option involves the use of special drugs injected into your eye.
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Some types of wet AMD improve when these drugs are combined with laser therapy.
Treatments must be given on an ongoing basis, about every four to six weeks.
This can be a barrier to continued care and optimal results.
Side effects and eye damage can occur, though these problems are rare.
This article describes wet AMD treatments and the ways they can help your vision.
It also explains possible side effects and other ways to offset the vision loss sparked by wet AMD.
Dry AMDoccurs when cells from your macula begin to thin and break down.
It can exist in its early stages without symptoms.
Wet AMD is called “wet” because it is linked to the growth of leaky blood vessels.
It always begins as dry AMD.
This causes vision distortion and gray areas in your central vision.
These treatments are regarded as first-line therapy for treating and stabilizing the condition.
Anti-VEGF drugs target VEGF, a molecule that supports new blood vessel growth.
However, blood vessels that form behind your retina can leak blood and proteins that damage macular cells.
Anti-VEGF drugs prevent the growth of these damaging new blood vessels.
Anti-VEGF drugs are administered asintravitrealinjectionsinto the vitreous cavity (the space directly behind your eye).
Photodynamic therapy uses a photosensitizing drug calledverteporfin.
The drug is injected into your arm and travels through your bloodstream to your eye.
Your ophthalmologist activates the drug by shining a laser beam into your eye.
When activated, the drug works to break down the abnormal blood vessels causing vision loss.
Depending on your response to this treatment, you may need photodynamic therapy repeated at three-month intervals.
Do Wet AMD Treatments Restore Vision Loss?
There are no guarantees regarding the results of wet AMD treatments.
At a minimum, this treatment stabilizes vision in 90% of those who receive it.
Factors such as chronic conditions and certain medications may trigger side effects.
These problems can include the following:
Major complications are rare with anti-VEGF treatment.
A severe loss in visual clarity can occur with photodynamic therapy though vision partially recovers in some people.
This may be the case if one eye has intermediate-stage dry AMD and the other has wet AMD.
Taking the vitamins may help slow the transition from dry AMD to wet AMD in the healthy eye.
The injections offered hope that the condition could be slowed and potentially stopped or even reversed.
New treatment advancements explore alternatives to the need for indefinite monthly injections.
The other injects the treatment into your eye.
It is implanted into your eye during a surgical procedure.
Research indicates that treatment intervals may be extended for as long as four months.
These alternatives include eyedrops and oral tablets.
Summary
Anti-VEGF injections are first-line treatments for wet AMD.
These drugs slow vision loss by stopping the bleeding and leakage from abnormal blood vessels.
Though not common, they may be combined with laser therapies.
Anti-VEGF treatments are effective and can even reverse vision loss.
However, these injections must be given monthly for the long term.
The inconvenience can often pose a barrier to continued care and the best outcomes.
New and emerging therapies may offer ways to extend the time between treatments.
This may make it easier for more people to follow through on their prescribed treatment.
Delays in treatment have been linked with vision loss.
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