There are two types of Age related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Dry is the most common type of Macular Degenerationand affects 80-90% of all patients diagnosed with this problem. Wet or neovascular/exudative AMD is when the abnormal vessel growing into the macula (central area of the retina) leaks fluid and causes swelling of the retina. Many patients with diagnosed Macular Degeneration start as the dry type and approximately 10-20% of them progress to the wet type
Dry Type of AMD
Dry Macular Degeneration is a retinal problems where a small white or yellowish deposits called drusen form on the retina, beneath the macula, causing a progressive deterioration of the retinal function over time. The atrophy is an advance stage of the dry Macular Degeneration, is when the macula becomes very thin and progressively deteriorates the central vision
Wet Type of AMD
In wet type of macular degeneration an abnormal blood vessels under the retina start growing into the retina. These new blood vessels tend to bleed easily and also leak fluid into the retina causing swelling of the retina. Wet AMD damages the macula (central retina) and causes distortion of the lines in the central vision, which could be one of the main symptoms of the wet AMD. Untreated Wet AMD results in a fast and severe loss of the central vision
Age-related macular degeneration usually affects both eyes
but does not always progress at the same pace or symmetrically in both eyes. As a result of this asymmetrical progression, some patients could have the dry type in one eye and the wet type in the other
Intravitreal injections
Anti VEGF intravitreal injections are used to treat wet Macular Degeneration (wAMD). There are several anti-VEGF drugs available, but three are most commonly used. Two of these, ranibizumab (brand name Lucentis®) and aflibercept (brand name Eylea®), were designed specifically for the treatment of AMD. A third drug, bevacizumab (brand name Avastin®), was originally developed to treat various types of cancer, but is commonly used "off-label" in patients with AMD
Intrevitreal injection & Risks
Intravitreal injection is performed as a day case under topical anaesthesia or small local subconjunctival anaesthesia. Infection is uncommon complication of all surgical eye procedures and is potentially sight threatening condition. If a significant visual deterioration, pain, red eye are noticed after recent injection, prompt ophthalmic examination and advise should be searched
Retinal Detachment is very rare complication, but described amongst the literature and any shadow, new floaters and flashing lights need to be reported
Internal bleed is very uncommon complication. External conjunctiva bleed is common and is a cosmetic effect of the procedure, which disappears after several days with no consequences