Summary about Disease
Wet macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that causes blurred vision or a blind spot in your central vision. It's a chronic and progressive condition where abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula, the central part of the retina. These blood vessels leak fluid and blood, which damages the macula and leads to rapid vision loss.
Symptoms
Blurred vision or a decrease in the clarity of central vision
Difficulty recognizing faces
Straight lines appearing wavy or distorted (metamorphopsia)
A blurry or blind spot in the center of the field of vision
Difficulty adapting to low light levels
Decreased intensity or brightness of colors
Causes
The exact cause of wet AMD is not fully understood, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Key aspects involve:
Abnormal Blood Vessel Growth (Angiogenesis): The primary cause is the growth of new, leaky blood vessels under the retina.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF): This protein stimulates the growth of these abnormal blood vessels.
Age: Aging is the biggest risk factor.
Genetics: Family history of AMD increases the risk.
Smoking: Smoking significantly increases the risk.
Cardiovascular Disease: Conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels may increase risk.
Medicine Used
The primary treatment for wet AMD involves medications that inhibit VEGF:
Anti-VEGF Injections: These drugs are injected directly into the eye to block VEGF and stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels. Common medications include:
Aflibercept (Eylea)
Ranibizumab (Lucentis)
Brolucizumab-dbll (Beovu)
Verteporfin (Visudyne) with Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): A light-activated drug is injected, then a non-thermal laser is used to activate the drug and close off the abnormal blood vessels. This treatment is less commonly used than anti-VEGF injections.
Is Communicable
No, wet macular degeneration is not communicable. It is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person.
Precautions
While you can't entirely prevent wet AMD, certain precautions can help reduce your risk or slow its progression:
Quit Smoking: Smoking is a major risk factor.
Healthy Diet: Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and antioxidants.
Regular Eye Exams: Get regular eye exams to detect early signs of AMD.
Manage Other Health Conditions: Control blood pressure, cholesterol, and other cardiovascular risk factors.
UV Protection: Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.
Amsler Grid Monitoring: Use an Amsler grid at home to monitor for any changes in your vision.
How long does an outbreak last?
Wet AMD is not characterized by "outbreaks" in the traditional sense. It is a chronic and progressive condition. Without treatment, the vision loss caused by wet AMD can be rapid and irreversible. The abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage will continue unless treated. The progression can vary from person to person.
How is it diagnosed?
Wet AMD is typically diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam, which may include:
Visual Acuity Test: Measuring your ability to see at various distances.
Dilated Eye Exam: Examining the retina and macula with a special lens after dilating the pupils.
Amsler Grid: Checking for distortions in your central vision.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Imaging the retina to identify fluid buildup and other abnormalities.
Fluorescein Angiography (FA): Injecting dye into the bloodstream and taking pictures of the retina to detect leaking blood vessels.
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA): Non-invasive imaging to visualize blood vessels in the retina.
Timeline of Symptoms
The onset and progression of wet AMD can vary, but a general timeline might look like this:
Early Stages: May start with subtle blurred vision or slight distortion of straight lines.
Progression: Symptoms worsen over weeks or months, with increasing blurriness, difficulty seeing details, and a growing blind spot in central vision.
Advanced Stages: Significant vision loss occurs, impacting daily activities such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces. The rate of progression is more rapid than dry AMD.
Important Considerations
Early Detection is Key: Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to preserving vision.
Treatment Adherence: Consistent adherence to the prescribed treatment regimen is vital to manage the disease effectively.
Regular Monitoring: Ongoing monitoring by an ophthalmologist is necessary to track the disease's progression and adjust treatment as needed.
Low Vision Aids: If vision loss occurs, low vision aids can help maximize remaining vision.
Support Groups: Joining support groups can provide emotional support and practical advice for living with AMD.
Lifestyle Adjustments: Making lifestyle adjustments, such as improving lighting and using assistive devices, can help maintain independence.