Neovascular Age Related Macular Degeneration
What is Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (also known as AMD or ‘wet’ AMD) is the leading cause of blindness and low vision among older adults (greater than 50 years old). It occurs when the central part of the retina, called the macula, deteriorates. This often leads to loss of central vision, and can be caused by a number of factors, including genetic mutations, hypertension, cholesterol imbalance, smoking, and age-related inflammation.
Neovascular (‘new vessel’) AMD is a form of AMD in which abnormal blood vessels grow in the choroid layer below the retina and cause fluid leakage and hemorrhaging in the macula. These new vessels can cause the macula to become lumpy and scarred, leading to significant loss of central vision.
Symptoms of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
The symptoms of neovascular AMD can vary in severity, but commonly include:
- Blurry or dimmed central vision
- Distorted vision (straight lines appear wavy or uneven)
- Dark patches in the center of the field of vision
- A central blind spot
- Difficulty seeing in low light
- Difficulty recognizing faces
Diagnosis and Treatment
Neovascular AMD is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam and imaging tests, such as optical coherence tomography, fundus photography, flourescein angiography, or indocyanine green angiography (ICGA).
Treatment for neovascular AMD is generally focused on controlling the growth of abnormal blood vessels and bleeding. This can involve medications injected into the eye, lasers, or photodynamic therapy. In some cases, surgery may be an option.
It is important to note that neovascular AMD can be unpredictable, and some treatments may only be successful in stopping disease progression temporarily. Patients should always consult with their optometrist or ophthalmologist for the best treatment plan.