Wet AMD

What is Wet Macular Degeneration?

Wet AMD

Because both forms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - "dry" and "wet" - can lead to severe deterioration of central vision, they are considered a major public health problem. The pictures here show normal vision compared with the vision of a person with AMD.

Wet macular degeneration is one of the two types of the eye condition "age-related macular degeneration," which is abbreviated AMD. The other type is "dry" age related macular degeneration. Both types of AMD are closely associated with aging. Approximately one-third of people in the United States who are older than 75 have signs and/or symptoms of AMD.

Both types of AMD affect the macula, which is the part of the retina responsible for our central vision. Central vision allows us to see what is directly in front of us and to make out details. Therefore, it is crucial for many tasks, such as recognizing faces, driving and reading.

Because both dry and wet age related macular degeneration can lead to severe deterioration of central vision, they are considered a major public health problem. For this reason the medical community is extensively studying their causes and the best ways to treat them. The research and the answers it is aimed at finding are very complex. This is partly because AMD does not behave exactly the same in every person. Nevertheless, some patterns have become known.

What is the Difference Between Wet and Dry AMD?

Dry AMD affects more people than wet AMD. Dry AMD tends to advance more slowly and in stages. It usually begins with the formation of deposits called "drusen" underneath the macula. Drusen can be hard or soft. If several soft, small drusen or a few medium-size soft drusen are present in your macula, you are at the early stage. More and larger soft drusen are a sign of the intermediate stage, where you might experience some deterioration of central vision. At the most advanced stage of dry AMD many large, soft drusen are accompanied by a breakdown of the cells in the macula and surrounding retinal tissue layers. At this advanced stage of dry AMD, which is called "geographic atrophy," deterioration of central vision can be moderate or severe. Dry AMD can turn into wet AMD at any time. In some cases it does; in some cases it does not.

Wet age related macular degeneration is also an advanced stage of AMD. It is less common but often more severe than dry AMD. It is more severe because it has a greater potential to damage vision, and damage can occur quickly. In wet macular degeneration, new blood vessels invade the macula. Because the vessels typically emerge from a layer of the retina called the choroid, your doctor may describe this as "choroidal neovascularization." These newly formed vessels tend to leak fluid and blood. The fluid and blood cause the retina to swell, which interferes with its functioning. Central vision becomes distorted and blind spots appear. If left untreated, scar tissue forms and central vision is completely blocked. This scarring is irreversible.

What Should I Do If I Have Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration?

If you have been diagnosed with wet AMD, it is crucial that you follow your eye doctor's recommendations for treatment. He or she has several options for stopping the abnormal growth of blood vessels and minimizing the damage they cause. The appropriate treatment will be chosen based on your individual situation. Often, different treatments are combined in an effort to improve the results.

No matter which treatment your eye doctor decides is best for you, it is possible for the abnormal growth of blood vessels to occur again. Because this is the case, you will be asked to return to the eye doctor's office as frequently as once every month so your eyes can be monitored and treated when necessary.

In addition, you should pay close attention to your vision so that you can notice changes. Ask your eye doctor to explain what kinds of changes should prompt you to contact him or her. The sooner any new leakage of blood or fluid is discovered and treated, the better.

Hope for the future? New clinical trials.

NeoVista, Inc. is a company that is developing an intraocular epiretinal radiation device intended for the treatment of the wet form of age-related macular degeneration. If you, or someone you know, are interested in participating in the CABERNET Trial, please follow the link below:

What is Wet Macular Degeneration?

What is Wet Macular Degeneration?

What is the Difference Between Wet and Dry AMD?

What Should I Do If I Have Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration?

Hope for the future? New clinical trials.

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