Approach Wet AMD
with Confidence
Whether you've been recently diagnosed or have been living with Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Wet AMD) for years, hear about Wet AMD from the experts, review treatment options, understand who can develop the disease, and learn how it is diagnosed and monitored.
What is Wet AMD?
Wet AMD is a retinal disease that may affect people as they age. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow and leak fluid under the macula, the part of the eye responsible for sharp central vision and seeing fine detail. This fluid can damage and scar the macula, which can cause vision loss.
Review Treatment Options
The goal of Wet AMD treatment is to slow down the disease, maintain current vision, and potentially restore some lost vision.
Anti-VEGF Medicines
Wet AMD is associated with abnormally high levels of a naturally occurring protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which may cause the eye to form leaky blood vessels that can lead to vision loss. Anti-VEGF medicines are injected into the eye to bind to the VEGF protein and help keep these blood vessels from leaking fluid.
Laser Therapy
Laser photocoagulation is a common treatment for Wet AMD that uses a beam of high-energy light to seal off or destroy leaking vessels and reduce the swelling that may be causing vision loss.
Who Can Develop Wet AMD?
You are more likely to develop Wet AMD if you:
- Live with Dry AMD (10-15% of cases progress to Wet AMD)
- Are 60 years or older
- Have a family history of Wet AMD
- Are female
- Are obese
- Are Caucasian
- Have a history of smoking
- Have high blood pressure
- Have heart disease
I love my vision. I am an artist and use my art to teach, process, and understand life and myself. It is the way I orient myself in life. I admit I was scared at first when I was diagnosed with Wet AMD. I remembered how difficult it had been for my mother emotionally when the low-vision tools she used were no longer enough, and she had to give up reading. But my retina specialist and his staff gave me the information I needed to educate myself so I could do everything possible to prioritize my eye health.
How is Wet AMD
Diagnosed and Monitored?
Doctors can diagnose and monitor Wet AMD using a variety of different tests. One of the most commonly used methods is a dilated eye exam. Learn more by watching this video.
prep for your eye appointment
Find The Way Forward
Receiving a Wet AMD diagnosis can be scary and overwhelming. This brochure can help you assess your options and start a conversation with your eye health team.