Introduction
A long-term eye ailment called wet macular degeneration results in impaired vision or a blind spot in the center of the field of vision. The macula is frequently affected by blood vessels that leak fluid or blood into it. The macula, a retina component, provides the eye with sharp vision while looking directly in front of it. Age-related macular degeneration comes in two different varieties, one of which is wet macular degeneration. The more prevalent and milder kind is dry macular degeneration. Always starting as the dry type, the wet type.
What Is Macular Degeneration?
Wet AMD is less prevalent but significantly more dangerous. It is known as wet macular degeneration when aberrant new blood vessels develop behind the retina. Scarring of the macula can result from these veins leaking blood or other substances. With wet macular degeneration rather than dry AMD, an individual may have a quicker loss of eyesight. Frequently, macular degeneration is not identified until a person's vision is severely blurred.
Who Is at Risk for AMD?
Age-related macular degeneration is more likely to manifest in those who:
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Consume a diet rich in saturated fat (found in dairy, cheese, and meat).
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Weight problem.
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Puff on cigarettes.
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Individuals are older than 50 years of age.
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Possess high blood pressure or hypertension.
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Family History.
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Other macular degeneration risk factors include heart disease and high cholesterol levels. White individuals (Caucasians) also have a higher chance of developing AMD.
What Are the Symptoms of Wet Macular Degeneration?
Symptoms of wet macular degeneration are:
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Visual alterations, such as the appearance of bent straight lines.
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Central vision impairment in one or both eyes.
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When reading or conducting close-up work, there is a requirement for more lighting.
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Difficulty acclimating to low light conditions, such as when entering a theater or restaurant that is barely illuminated.
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The printed words need to be more hazy.
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Faces are difficult to recognize.
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A well-defined hazy or blind patch in one's field of vision.
What Are the Causes of Wet Macular Degeneration?
Different factors can lead to the development of wet macular degeneration:
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Abnormal blood vessel growth results in vision loss. Unusual new blood vessels can occasionally emerge from the choroid behind the macula. The term "choroidal neovascularization" describes this. The layer of blood vessels known as the choroid is the tissue between the retina and the sclera, the hard outer covering of the eye. These blood veins might leak fluid or blood, impairing the retina's ability to see.
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Loss of vision brought on by an accumulation of fluid in the retina. When the choroid leaks, fluid may gather inside the layers of the retina or between the retina and the thin cell layer known as the retinal pigment epithelium. The macula layers may become irregular, which might impair or distort vision.
How to Diagnose Macular Degeneration?
A wet macular degeneration diagnosis usually begins with a standard eye exam, during which the optometrist will use a variety of tests to look for changes in the vision. The doctor may carry out further examinations and procedures, such as the ones listed below, to assist in making the diagnosis of wet macular degeneration or to confirm it:
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Observing the area behind the eye, doctors can use specialized technology to examine for fluid or deposits in the retina after delivering special eye drops to dilate the eyes.
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Angiography using fluorescein in this procedure, which involves injecting dye into a vein in the arm, highlights the blood vessels in the eyes. The retinal blood vessels in the eye may then be precisely captured on camera, along with any blood or fluid leaks. (An associated examination is called indocyanine green angiography.)
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CT imaging with optical coherence In this imaging examination, cross sections of the retina are shown using a series of X-rays, revealing any alterations such as thickness, thinning, or edema. It could be used to assess the efficacy of macular degeneration therapy.
What Are the Treatment Modalities That Are Used to Treat Wet Macular Degeneration?
Wet macular degeneration patients might get a variety of therapies. When diagnosed early enough by a clinician, the illness often responds favorably to therapy.
1. The first-line therapy for wet macular degeneration is thought to be a class of medications called anti-VEGF therapies. They are injected into the afflicted eye and function by aiding in the prevention of aberrant blood vessels.
These medications comprise:
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Aflibercept.
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Bevacizumab.
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Brolucizumab.
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Faricimab.
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Ranibizumab.
2. The disease may be slowed down, and its symptoms may be controlled using anti-VEGF drugs. Some patients may also need additional therapies, such as laser therapy.
3. Dietary modifications are yet another therapy option for dry macular degeneration, and medical professionals may also advise the same modifications for some patients with wet macular degeneration.
4. Taking vitamins and minerals as supplements might be one of them.
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Vitamin E.
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Lutein.
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Zeaxanthin.
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Zinc copper.
5. The vision can be protected with a lifestyle change. Regular physical activity, eating nutrient-rich foods like dark, leafy greens, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, and quitting smoking are all important. Sunglasses and caps that offer 100 percent UV (ultraviolet) protection will shield the eyes from the sun's rays.
Conclusion
Wet macular degeneration results in a rapid loss of central vision. It happens due to aberrant, new blood vessels that leak blood and fluids, harming the retina. Blind patches, wavy, straight lines, and other indications of the impairment include blurred vision. To avoid serious vision loss, people with wet macular degeneration need to get medical attention. To decrease the growth of the aberrant blood vessels, doctors will prescribe anti-VEGF drugs. To know more, consult the doctor online.
