Is wet macular degeneration more dangerous than dry?

Question

Hello Doctor,

My mother is 75 years old and has just been diagnosed with dry macular degeneration. She reports that letters are beginning to blur when she reads, and she is terrified that she will go blind. The ophthalmologist prescribed vitamins and advised her to return in six months, but that approach feels too passive.

Is there anything else we can do to slow the progression of the disease? Is the wet type of macular degeneration more dangerous than the dry form?

She lives alone, and this diagnosis is severely affecting her confidence, especially with driving and cooking. Are there any assistive tools or technologies that can help her read or function more independently at home?

The doctor recommended AREDS2(age-related eye disease study 2) vitamins (containing vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin – nutraceutical or antioxidant), but we want to make sure we are doing everything possible to support her vision and quality of life.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and can understand your concern.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is more severe than the dry type. It tends to progress faster and can lead to more significant vision loss.

First, it is important to check blood pressure and blood sugar levels to rule out hypertension and diabetes, as these conditions can worsen macular degeneration. If diabetes or hypertension is present, they should be treated and managed as early as possible.

Phototherapy and laser treatment are available as treatment options. In addition, intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) agents—such as:

Ranibizumab (Lucentis – Anti-VEGF).

Aflibercept (Eylea – Anti-VEGF).

Bevacizumab (Avastin – Anti-VEGF).

These are commonly used to slow or stop the progression of wet AMD.

Please consult a retina specialist for a detailed clinical examination and to determine the most appropriate course of treatment.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.