Wet macular degeneration

Diagnosis

To diagnose wet macular degeneration, an eye doctor typically reviews medical and family history and does a complete eye exam. To confirm a diagnosis of macular degeneration, an eye doctor may suggest other tests, including:

• Examination of the back of the eye. An eye doctor puts drops in the eyes to dilate them and uses a special tool to examine the back of the eye. The eye doctor looks for a mottled appearance that's caused by yellow deposits that form under the retina, called drusen. People with macular degeneration often have many drusen.
• A test for changes in the center of the vision field. An Amsler grid may be used to test for changes in the center of the vision field. In macular degeneration, some of the straight lines in the grid may look faded, broken or distorted.
• Fluorescein angiography. During this test, an eye doctor injects a dye into a vein in the arm. The dye travels to and highlights the blood vessels in the eye. A special camera takes pictures as the dye travels through the blood vessels. The images may show leaking blood vessels or retinal changes.
• Indocyanine green angiography. Like fluorescein angiography, this test uses an injected dye. It may be used to confirm the findings of a fluorescein angiography or to identify problem blood vessels deeper in the retina.
• Optical coherence tomography. This noninvasive imaging test displays detailed cross sections of the retina. It identifies areas of thinning, thickening or swelling. This test also is used to help monitor how the retina responds to macular degeneration treatments.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography. This noninvasive imaging test displays detailed cross sections of the retina. It identifies areas of thinning, thickening or swelling. These can be caused by fluid buildup from leaking blood vessels in and under the retina.

Treatment

Treatments are available that may help slow disease progression and preserve existing vision. If started early enough, treatment may recover some lost vision.

Medicines

Some medicines, called anti-VEGF drugs, may help stop the growth of new blood vessels. These medicines block the effects of growth signals the body sends to generate new blood vessels. They are considered the first line of treatment for all stages of wet macular degeneration.

Medicines used to treat wet macular degeneration include:

• Bevacizumab (Avastin).
• Ranibizumab (Lucentis).
• Aflibercept (Eylea).
• Brolucizumab (Beovu).
• Faricimab-svoa (Vabysmo).

An eye doctor injects these medicines into the affected eye. Shots may be needed every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain the beneficial effect of the medicine. In some instances, vision may be partially recovered as the blood vessels shrink and the body absorbs the fluid under the retina.

Possible risks of these shots include:

• Conjunctival hemorrhage.
• Increased eye pressure.
• Infection.
• Retinal detachment.
• Eye inflammation.

Therapies

• Photodynamic therapy. This procedure is a possible treatment for the irregular blood vessel growth in wet macular degeneration. However, it is much less common than treatment with anti-VEGF shots.

  During photodynamic therapy, an eye doctor injects a medicine called verteporfin (Visudyne) into a vein in the arm. The medicine then travels to blood vessels in the eye. An eye doctor shines a focused light from a special laser on the affected blood vessels in the eye. This activates the verteporfin, causing the blood vessels to close. This stops the leakage.

  Photodynamic therapy may improve vision and reduce the rate of vision loss. Repeated treatments may be needed over time, as the treated blood vessels may reopen.

  After photodynamic therapy, it may be necessary to avoid direct sunlight and bright lights until the medicine has cleared the body. This may take a few days.

• Photocoagulation. During photocoagulation therapy, an eye doctor uses a high-energy laser beam to seal problem blood vessels under the macula. This procedure helps stop the vessels from bleeding, with the aim of minimizing further damage to the macula. Even with this treatment, blood vessels may regrow, requiring further treatment. The laser also can cause scarring that creates a blind spot.

  Few people who have wet macular degeneration get this treatment. It generally isn't an option if you have problem blood vessels directly under the center of the macula. Also, the more damaged the macula is, the lower the likelihood of success.

• Low vision rehabilitation. Age-related macular degeneration doesn't affect side vision and typically doesn't cause total blindness. But it can reduce or eliminate central vision. You need central vision to read, drive and recognize people's faces. It may help to get care from a low vision rehabilitation specialist, an occupational therapist, an eye doctor and others trained in low vision rehabilitation. They can help find ways to adapt to changing vision.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Even after you get a diagnosis of wet macular degeneration, you can take some steps that may help slow vision loss.

• Don't smoke. If you smoke, ask a healthcare professional for help quitting.

• Choose a healthy diet. The antioxidant vitamins in fruits and vegetables contribute to eye health. Kale, spinach, broccoli, squash and other vegetables have high levels of antioxidants, including lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients may benefit people with macular degeneration.

  Eating foods with high levels of zinc also may be helpful for people with macular degeneration. These include high-protein foods, such as beef, pork and lamb. Nonmeat sources include milk, cheese, yogurt, whole-grain cereals and whole-wheat bread.

  Another good choice is healthy unsaturated fat, such as in olive oil. And research studies have shown that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as in salmon, tuna and walnuts, may lower the risk of advanced macular degeneration. But the same benefit is not shown from taking omega-3 supplements, such as fish oil pills.

• Manage your other medical conditions. If you have cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure, for example, take your medicine and follow your healthcare team's instructions for controlling the condition.
• Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. If you need to lose weight, reduce the number of calories you eat and increase the amount of exercise you get each day.
• Have routine eye exams. Ask your eye doctor about the recommended schedule for follow-up exams. In between checkups, you can do a self-assessment of your vision using an Amsler grid.

Vitamin supplements

For people with intermediate or advanced disease, taking a high-dose formulation of antioxidant vitamins and minerals may help reduce the risk of vision loss. Research from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) has shown benefit in a formulation that includes:

• 500 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C.
• 400 international units (IU) of vitamin E.
• 10 mg of lutein.
• 2 mg of zeaxanthin.
• 80 mg of zinc as zinc oxide.
• 2 mg of copper as cupric oxide.

Ask your eye doctor if taking supplements is right for you.

Coping and support

Vision loss from macular degeneration can affect the ability to do things such as read, recognize faces and drive. These tips may help to cope with changing vision:

• Get your eyeglass prescription checked. If you wear contacts or glasses, be sure your prescription is up to date. If new glasses don't help, ask for a referral to a low vision specialist.

• Use magnifiers. A variety of magnifying devices can help you with reading and other close-up work, such as sewing. Such devices include hand-held magnifying lenses or magnifying lenses you wear like glasses.

  You also may use a closed-circuit television system that uses a video camera to magnify reading material and project it on a video screen.

• Change your computer display and add audio systems. Adjust the font size in your computer's settings. And adjust your monitor to show more contrast. You also may add speech-output systems or other technologies to your computer.
• Use electronic reading aids and voice interfaces. Try large-print books, tablet computers and audiobooks. Some tablet and smartphone apps are designed to help people with low vision. And many of these devices now come with voice recognition features.
• Select special appliances made for low vision. Some clocks, radios, telephones and other appliances have extra-large numbers. You may find it easier to watch a television with a larger high-definition screen, or you may want to sit closer to the screen.
• Use brighter lights in your home. Better lighting helps with reading and other daily activities, and it may reduce the risk of falling.
• Consider your transportation options. If you drive, check with your doctor to see if it's safe to continue doing so. Be extra cautious in certain situations, such as driving at night, in heavy traffic or in bad weather. Use public transportation or ask a friend or family member to help, especially with night driving. Or use local van or shuttle services, volunteer driving networks, or ride-sharing.
• Get support. Having macular degeneration can be difficult, and you may need to make changes in your life. You may go through many emotions as you adjust. Consider talking to a counselor or joining a support group. Spend time with supportive family members and friends.

Preparing for your appointment

You likely will need a dilated eye exam to check for macular degeneration. Make an appointment with a doctor who specializes in eye care, such as an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. An eye doctor can perform a complete eye exam.

What you can do

Before your appointment:

• When you make the appointment, ask if you need to do anything to prepare.
• List any symptoms you're experiencing, including those that seem unrelated to your vision problem.
• List all medicines, vitamins and supplements you take, including the doses.
• Ask a family member or friend to go with you. Having your pupils dilated for the eye exam will affect your vision for a time afterward, so you may need someone to drive or be with you after your appointment.
• List questions to ask your eye care professional.

For macular degeneration, questions to ask include:

• Do I have dry or wet macular degeneration?
• How advanced is my macular degeneration?
• Is it safe for me to drive?
• Will I experience further vision loss?
• Can my condition be treated?
• Will taking a vitamin or mineral supplement help prevent further vision loss?
• What's the best way to monitor my vision for any changes?
• What changes in my symptoms should I call you about?
• What low vision aids might be helpful to me?
• What lifestyle changes can I make to protect my vision?

What to expect from your doctor

Your eye doctor is likely to ask you a few questions, such as:

• When did you first notice your vision problem?
• Does the condition affect one or both eyes?
• Do you have trouble seeing things near you, at a distance or both?
• Do you smoke or did you used to smoke? If so, how much?
• What types of foods do you eat?
• Do you have other medical conditions, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes?
• Do you have a family history of macular degeneration?