Wet macular degeneration (wet AMD) is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration characterized by rapid vision loss caused by abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage beneath the retina. While there is no cure, a variety of effective treatment options are available to slow disease progression, preserve vision, and sometimes recover some lost sight.
First-Line: Anti-VEGF Injections
Anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) medications remain the mainstay of wet AMD therapy. These drugs block VEGF, a protein that stimulates abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina. Anti-VEGF medicines are injected directly into the eye, often with a frequency of every four to eight weeks at the start, which may be spread out as response allows.
Common Anti-VEGF Drugs:
Bevacizumab (Avastin)
Ranibizumab (Lucentis)
Aflibercept (Eylea)
Brolucizumab (Beovu)
Faricimab-svoa (Vabysmo) – Notable for its dual action that blocks two biological pathways and can extend injection intervals up to 16 weeks.
𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬:
Longer-acting formulations (such as higher-dose Eylea, Beovu, and Vabysmo) mean some patients require fewer injections.
Susvimo (Port Delivery System): An implantable reservoir that gradually releases ranibizumab, requiring refills only every six months in some cases.
𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐫 & 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐬
𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐲𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 (𝐏𝐃𝐓): Involves injecting verteporfin (Visudyne) and activating it using a laser to seal off leaking vessels. PDT is less commonly used now but may help in selective cases where anti-VEGF is insufficient or as combination therapy.
𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Uses a focused laser to cauterize abnormal vessels. It is reserved for select cases due to the risk of damaging surrounding retinal tissue, which may result in permanent vision loss.
𝐂𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠-𝐄𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐬
Gene Therapy: In clinical trials in 2025, gene therapy delivers DNA to retinal cells so the eye naturally produces anti-VEGF medication, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for frequent injections. This is a promising future option that could offer longer-lasting effects from a single administration.
𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝-𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬: Tiny devices implanted in the eye to provide prolonged medication delivery are making injection schedules less frequent.
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐬: Early research suggests potential for restoring vision, but these options are still experimental.
Topical Treatments: Eye drop forms of anti-VEGF and neuroprotective agents are in development, not yet widely available but could offer non-invasive treatment alternatives in the future.
𝐑𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭
Low Vision Rehabilitation: Since wet AMD doesn't cause total blindness, specialized rehabilitation can teach adaptive skills, use of magnifiers, and electronic devices to maximize remaining vision and independence.
𝐕𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: AREDS 2 supplements (lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamins C and E, zinc, copper) may help some patients prevent progression from intermediate AMD to advanced stages.
When to Start Treatment
Rapid treatment is crucial; therapy should be started as soon as possible after diagnosis to minimize permanent damage to the macula and preserve as much central vision as possible.
𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞:
Mayo Clinic – Wet Macular Degeneration Treatment:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wet-macular-degeneration/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351113
National Eye Institute – Wet AMD Treatments:
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration/treatments-wet-amd-advanced-neovascular-amd
AAO – New Treatments for Macular Degeneration:
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/promising-new-treatments-amd
Cleveland Clinic – Macular Degeneration Treatment:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15246-macular-degeneration
WebMD – Wet AMD Treatment:
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/macular-degeneration/wet-amd-treatments