Symptoms
Typically wet AMD results in severe vision loss.
Wet AMD might affect only one of your eyes or both.
Wet AMD affects the central part of your visual field, not the peripheral areas.
Hilary Alison / Verywell
Because of this, only rarely does it cause total blindness.
The condition can profoundly affect quality of life.
Because of vision loss, you might not be able to drive, enjoy certain activities, or read.
People who have wet AMD can also experience other problems resulting from these vision issues.
Causes
To understand what causes wet AMD, its helpful to understand a little about your eye.
Yourmaculais part of yourretinathat is located at the back part of your eye.
The macula has many light-sensing cells that send electrical signals via the optic nerve to the brain.
This process puts together the images that we see.
The layer ofthe eyejust behind the retina is called the choroid.
It normally has blood vessels that bring blood to the light cells of the retina, including the macula.
Wet AMD develops as blood vessels from the choroid start to invade the retina and grow abnormally there.
These fragile vessels may start to leak, which can interfere with the normal function of the macula.
Thats why this key in of AMD is called wet AMD.
This may be found at higher than normal levels in people with wet AMD.
In the dry version of AMD, there arent the same kinds of abnormal blood vessels beneath the eye.
However, there may be other problems causing more gradual damage to the light-sensing cells of the macula.
People with AMD also have something calleddrusen, which are yellow deposits found beneath the retina.
Though drusen are a normal part of aging, large or medium drusen are often a sign of AMD.
Dry AMD might be early, intermediate, or advanced.
People with early or intermediate disease might not notice any symptoms.
In contrast, the wet form of AMD is always an advanced form of the disease.
You will also need acomprehensive eye exam, which will include having your eyes dilated with drops.
These tests may also be used to assess your response to treatment.
Depending on the situation, additional tests may be needed, as well.
Its important toseek medical attentionand get a proper diagnosis as soon as possible after your symptoms start.
If your diagnosis and treatment are delayed, it may become difficultor impossibleto reverse your symptoms.
Treatment
In recent years,treatmentshave become available that may help slow vision loss from wet AMD.
However, in some cases, the disease may worsen even when you receive proper treatment.
In some cases, these injections help the person to at least partly improve their vision.
These drugs areinjected into the eye, sometimes scheduled multiple times a month.
Before having an injection, your eye would be numbed and cleaned with an antiseptic drop.
They also may be an option if you have wet AMD with particular anatomical characteristics.
They are sometimes used along with anti-VEGF drugs.
It also might help prevent the development of wet AMD in your other eye.
Talk to your healthcare provider about the best product for you to take.
Lifestyle Modifications
Practicing a healthy lifestyle is also an important part of treatment and prevention.
Many people report depression and reduced quality of life from these visual changes.
While its normal to feel these things, know that you have resources to support you.
There are a number of professionals that can help you as you adjust to life with diminished vision.
These may include occupational therapists, mobility specialists, and low vision therapists.
Depending on the situation, social workers or counselors may be able to help, as well.
Realistically, the condition is likely to disrupt your everyday life, at least for a while.
Learning what you might about your treatment options can help give you a sense of control.
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