Neovascular AMD: Understanding the Causes and Treatments
What To Know
- Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a type of AMD in which abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina.
- These blood vessels are fragile and can leak blood or fluid, causing damage to the macula, which is the central part of the retina.
- Other tests that may be done include fluorescein angiography, which uses a special dye to highlight blood vessels in the retina, and indocyanine green angiography, which uses a fluorescent dye to image blood vessels in the back of the eye.
Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye disease that affects the central part of the retina, called the macula. The macula is responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision, which is needed to see the fine details required for daily activities such as driving, reading, and writing. In neovascular AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow from beneath the retina and leak blood and fluid, causing damage to the macula.
What Is Neovascular Amd?
AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration) is a disease that affects the central part of your vision. There are two main types of AMD: Dry AMD and Wet AMD. Wet AMD is the more severe form of the disease and can lead to severe vision loss.
Wet AMD is caused by the growth of new blood vessels behind the retina. These blood vessels are fragile and can leak blood and fluid, causing damage to the retina. The growth of new blood vessels is called neovascularization.
Neovascularization is treated with drugs called anti-VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) drugs. These drugs work by blocking the VEGF protein, which is responsible for the growth of new blood vessels.
Anti-VEGF drugs can be given as an injection into the eye or as an infusion into the bloodstream. The injections are typically given every 4-8 weeks, while the infusions are given every 4-6 weeks.
The side effects of anti-VEGF drugs can include eye pain, bleeding, infection, and cataracts. It is important to discuss these side effects with your doctor before starting treatment.
Anti-VEGF drugs are very effective at treating Wet AMD, but they cannot cure the disease. The disease can progress even after treatment, and you may need to continue with treatment for the rest of your life.
If you are experiencing symptoms of Wet AMD, it is important to see an eye doctor as soon as possible. Wet AMD can be treated, but early detection is key.
What Are The Common Symptoms Of Neovascular Amd?
- * Loss of central vision
- * Difficulty seeing in low light conditions
- * Distorted vision
- * Blank spots in your field of vision
- * Colors appearing less bright or faded
How Does Neovascular Amd Progress?
Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a type of AMD in which abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina. These blood vessels are fragile and can leak blood or fluid, causing damage to the macula, which is the central part of the retina.
Neovascular AMD progresses in three stages: early, intermediate, and advanced.
Early neovascular AMD is characterized by the presence of abnormal blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels are small and may not cause symptoms.
Intermediate neovascular AMD is characterized by the growth of larger blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels can cause symptoms such as blurred vision and distortion.
Advanced neovascular AMD is characterized by the growth of very large blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels can cause severe vision loss.
Neovascular AMD can be treated with medication, such as anti-VEGF drugs, which can slow down the progression of the disease. However, there is no cure for neovascular AMD, and the disease can eventually lead to blindness.
How Is Neovascular Amd Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of neovascular AMD is based on a comprehensive eye exam and medical history. A dilated eye exam enables your eye doctor to view your retina closely and check for signs of the disease. This includes the presence of drusen, abnormal blood vessels, and changes in your retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).
A test called Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is also commonly used to assess the health of the retina and macula. This test helps your doctor detect any thinning of the retina or swelling of the RPE.
Other tests that may be done include fluorescein angiography, which uses a special dye to highlight blood vessels in the retina, and indocyanine green angiography, which uses a fluorescent dye to image blood vessels in the back of the eye.
Your doctor may also order blood tests to check for certain genetic markers associated with neovascular AMD.
It is important to visit your eye doctor regularly for eye exams, especially if you have a family history of AMD or vision problems. Early diagnosis and treatment can help preserve your vision.
How Is Neovascular Amd Treated?
Neovascular AMD can be treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT), which employs a light-activated drug called Visudyne that is injected into the arm. The light is focused onto the retina, and the drug is absorbed by abnormal blood vessels. This activates the drug, which destroys the blood vessels.
PDT is an outpatient procedure that does not require anesthesia. It typically takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete. After the procedure, patients may experience some discomfort, including redness, sensitivity to light, and blurry vision. These symptoms usually resolve within a few days.
PDT is most effective in the early stages of neovascular AMD. However, it can also be used in combination with other treatments, such as anti-VEGF injections, to help slow the progression of the disease.
In addition to PDT, neovascular AMD can be treated with laser surgery, which destroys abnormal blood vessels using a laser. Laser surgery is an outpatient procedure that does not require anesthesia. It typically takes 30 to 45 minutes to complete. After the procedure, patients may experience some discomfort, including redness, sensitivity to light, and blurry vision. These symptoms usually resolve within a few days.
Laser surgery is most effective in the early stages of neovascular AMD.
What Is The Prognosis Of Neovascular Amd?
The prognosis of neovascular AMD (also known as wet AMD) depends on the severity of the condition and the timeliness of treatment. If left untreated, neovascular AMD can lead to severe vision loss or even blindness. However, with prompt and appropriate treatment, the prognosis for neovascular AMD can be significantly improved.
There are several treatment options available for neovascular AMD, including anti-VEGF injections, photodynamic therapy, and laser surgery. These treatments can help slow down the progression of the disease and reduce the risk of vision loss.
It is important to have regular eye exams to monitor the progression of neovascular AMD and to receive treatment as soon as possible. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve the long-term prognosis for neovascular AMD.
Recommendations
In conclusion, neovascular AMD is a serious condition that can lead to blindness if left untreated. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of neovascular AMD and to seek medical attention if you suspect that you may have the condition. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent vision loss and preserve your vision.
