Wet AMD: Causes, Treatments, and What You Need to Know
When you hear wet AMD, a progressive eye disease that damages the macula and leads to sudden vision loss. Also known as neovascular age-related macular degeneration, it’s the more aggressive form of macular degeneration and accounts for most cases of severe vision loss in older adults. Unlike the dry type, which progresses slowly, wet AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. These vessels leak fluid and blood, distorting your central vision—making faces blurry, reading impossible, and straight lines look wavy.
This isn’t just about aging. anti-VEGF injections, a treatment that blocks the protein causing abnormal blood vessel growth are now the standard of care. Drugs like Lucentis, Eylea, and Avastin are injected directly into the eye, often monthly at first, then spaced out. Many people stabilize their vision or even gain some back—if they start early. Delaying treatment can lead to permanent scarring and irreversible damage. It’s not a cure, but it’s the best tool we have right now.
Other factors matter too. smoking, a major risk factor that doubles your chance of developing wet AMD, makes the condition worse and reduces how well treatments work. High blood pressure and genetics also play roles. Eating leafy greens, wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, and getting regular eye exams after 50 can help catch it before it spreads. You won’t feel pain with wet AMD, which is why people often ignore early signs until it’s too late.
What you’ll find in these articles isn’t just theory—it’s real advice from people managing this condition daily. You’ll read about how injections feel, what to expect after treatment, how to use low-vision tools, and why some patients respond better than others. There’s also info on how other health issues like diabetes or heart disease interact with wet AMD, and what supplements might help (or hurt). No fluff. No guesswork. Just clear, practical details from real cases.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration: How Central Vision Loss Works and Why Anti-VEGF Treatments Are the Standard
Age-related macular degeneration causes central vision loss, especially in people over 65. Anti-VEGF injections are the standard treatment for wet AMD, helping to stop vision loss and sometimes improve sight. Early detection and consistent care make all the difference.
