Wet Macular Degeneration

Understanding Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

What is Wet AMD? Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak blood or fluid, damaging the macula. This can lead to rapid and severe vision loss if not treated promptly.

Symptoms to Look Out For

• Blurred or Distorted Vision: Straight lines may appear wavy or objects might look distorted.
• Central Vision Loss: A dark spot or blank area in the center of your vision.
• Difficulty in Recognizing Faces: Or trouble doing any task that requires seeing fine details.
• Remember, these symptoms can appear suddenly and worsen quickly.

What Causes Wet AMD? The exact cause isn’t known, but it’s related to aging and can be influenced by factors like genetics, smoking, and diet.

Treatment Options

• Anti-VEGF Injections: Medications injected into the eye to slow the growth of new blood vessels and reduce leakage.
• Laser Therapy: To destroy the abnormal blood vessels.
• Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): A drug activated by light is used to damage the abnormal blood vessels.

Lifestyle Considerations

• Healthy diet rich in green, leafy vegetables and fish.
• Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight.
• Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake.
• Protecting eyes from UV light with sunglasses.

Prevention and Monitoring

• Regular eye exams, particularly if you’re over 50 or have risk factors for AMD.
• Monitoring your vision with an Amsler grid at home to detect changes.

Early detection and treatment are vital in managing wet AMD and preserving vision. If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact our office immediately for an assessment.