What Is Wet Macular Degeneration?

Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels form under the retina and leak fluid or blood into the macula, the area responsible for sharp central vision. This leakage distorts vision and can cause significant damage if not managed quickly. Anti-VEGF injections are the gold standard treatment for controlling this process.

What Does Anti-VEGF Mean?

VEGF stands for vascular endothelial growth factor, a protein that encourages new blood vessels to grow. In wet AMD, the eye produces too much VEGF, leading to the formation of leaky, fragile vessels. Anti-VEGF medications block this protein, stopping growth and leakage.

Common FDA-approved anti-VEGF drugs include:

• Eylea® (aflibercept)
• Lucentis® (ranibizumab)
• Avastin® (bevacizumab)

These medications are injected directly into the eye to reduce swelling, stop leakage, and protect the retina.

What to Expect During Treatment

Anti-VEGF injections are performed in the office under sterile conditions. Your eye will be numbed with anesthetic drops to minimize discomfort. The injection itself takes only seconds.

In most cases, injections are given monthly during the initial treatment period, then the timeline is adjusted based on how your eye responds. Many patients continue injections every 4–12 weeks to maintain stability.

Will You See Results?

While results vary, many patients experience improvement or stabilization of their vision with regular anti-VEGF therapy. The key is consistency: missing treatments may allow the disease to progress.

Your doctor will monitor changes closely through follow-up imaging, such as OCT scans, to guide your personalized treatment plan.

Trust Your Vision to Experienced Retina Specialists

Anti-VEGF injections are a powerful tool for protecting your vision from wet AMD. At North Suburban Eye, our experienced retina specialists use advanced imaging and proven treatments to help you preserve as much central vision as possible. If you’ve been diagnosed with macular degeneration or are experiencing visual changes, contact us at 781-245-5200 to schedule your consultation in Wakefield or Winchester, MA.

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What Is Dry AMD?

Dry AMD is the more common form of the condition, accounting for about 85–90% of cases. It occurs when the macula thins over time due to aging, causing the gradual breakdown of light-sensitive cells. Patients with dry AMD may notice blurry or reduced central vision, making tasks like reading or driving more challenging. This type progresses slowly, and early stages may not cause noticeable symptoms. Regular eye exams are essential for detecting and monitoring dry AMD.

Understanding Wet AMD

Wet AMD, while less common, is more severe and progresses rapidly. This form develops when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina. These vessels can leak fluid or blood, causing sudden vision loss or distortion. Symptoms of wet AMD often include wavy or blurred central vision, dark spots, or rapid changes in visual clarity. Early treatment is critical to managing wet AMD and preserving vision.

Key Differences Between Wet and Dry AMD

• Progression: Dry AMD develops slowly over years, while wet AMD can lead to significant vision loss in a short time.
• Symptoms: Dry AMD causes gradual central vision blurriness; wet AMD often results in sudden vision distortion or dark spots.
• Cause: Dry AMD involves the gradual thinning of the macula, while wet AMD is caused by abnormal blood vessel growth.
• Treatment: Dry AMD currently has no cure, but lifestyle changes and supplements can slow its progression. Wet AMD is treated with anti-VEGF injections, laser therapy, or photodynamic therapy to stop or slow the growth of abnormal blood vessels.

How Our Doctors Can Help

If you have noticed changes in your vision and want an examination, or you have been diagnosed with AMD already, North Suburban Eye Associates offers comprehensive care to protect and preserve your sight. Our ophthalmologists provide state-of-the-art treatment options and ongoing monitoring to ensure the best outcomes. Our goal is to help you maintain as much vision as possible so that you can continue to enjoy a normal life.

Contact us today in the Greater Boston area to schedule a consultation by calling 781-245-5200.

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Who Is at Risk?

There are many factors that can increase your risk of developing AMD, including having a family history of the condition, having heart disease, eating a diet that includes elevated levels of saturated fats, smoking, having high blood pressure, being overweight, and being over the age of 50. People who are Caucasian are more likely to develop AMD than people of other racial groups.

AMD Diagnosis

If your eye doctor is concerned that you may have AMD, they may ask you to look at a grid called an Amsler grid during your eye exam. This will help your ophthalmologist understand more about your vision, as well as identify areas in your visual field where you’re struggling to identify details. Your eye doctor will also use a lens to look inside your eye, which will help them see if you’re showing symptoms of AMD.

Treatment of AMD

Thankfully, treatment options are available for people who have certain types of AMD. Depending on your level of vision loss, your doctor may recommend that you begin a supplement routine that can help to slow the progress of AMD. Your doctor may talk with you about other treatment options, including injectable medications and laser surgery.

Some people find that changing their diet is helpful in slowing the progression of AMD. Eating foods that protect eye health, such as fish, dark leafy greens, and yellow fruits and vegetables, can all help you preserve your vision after you’ve been diagnosed with AMD.

North Suburban Eye Associates, P.C.: Your Home for Family Vision Care

At North Suburban Eye Associates, our team is here to help you with all of your eye care needs. Whether you’re concerned about age-related macular degeneration or you’re looking for an office to provide your annual eye exam, we’ve got you covered. Reach out to us at 781-245-5200 to reach our Wakefield, MA, and Winchester, MA offices, or call 617-864-3600 to reach out to the Waltham, MA office to schedule an appointment—we look forward to meeting your eye care needs for years to come.

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How does macular degeneration cause vision loss?

Macular degeneration, sometimes referred to as age-related macular degeneration or the acronym of “AMD,” affects the part of retina that allows for fine detailed vision. This part of the eye is known as the macular. There are two types, including wet macular degeneration and dry macular degeneration, though both can cause loss of vision in one or both eyes. In fact, this condition is the leading cause of vision loss in patients in American who are age 50 or older.

How is macular degeneration treated?

In most cases, the condition cannot be treated, but there are steps patients might be able to take to slow its progression. This includes injections of endothelial growth factors, photodynamic therapy, and thermal laser treatments. When patients receive a definitive diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration, they are encouraged to talk to a professional about their options for treatment to slow vision loss with time.

Learn more about macular degeneration at North Suburban Eye Associates

If you reside in the communities of Beverly, Wakefield, Waltham, or Winchester, MA and are interested in working with a professional to find out if you are dealing with macular degeneration, we encourage you to book an appointment at one of our practice locations. Our doctors can be reached at the main office number at (781) 245-5200 to request a visit at any of our offices. We are always accepting new patients at North Suburban Eye Associates and welcome you to take the first step in improving your vision health!

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What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?

There are a few different symptoms that may be noticeable when patients are dealing with early to late-stage age-related macular degeneration. They include:

• Distorted vision
• Blurry central vision
• Noticing shadows
• Missing sections of vision
• Decreased sensitivity to contrast

What types of age-related macular degeneration can occur?

There are two forms of AMD that are classified by ophthalmologists, including dry form and wet form. Dry form is a type of macular degeneration that is caused by the breakdown of macula cells, resulting in drusen which appear as yellow and white spots. Drusen can become large and numerous, causing the eventual decline of vision. Wet form is less common and much more rapid. This form affects up to 15% of AMD patients and causes abnormal blood vessels to grow underneath the retina. They leak protein and blood and cause permanent central vision blindness.

What puts me at greater risk of age-related macular degeneration?

Studies have shown a link to the following conditions and AMD:

• Smoking
• Age
• Sunlight exposure
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Cardiovascular problems (obesity, high cholesterol)
• Race/ethnicity
• Family history/genetics

Are you in need of vision care?

If you are experiencing any symptoms of macular degeneration and live in the areas of Winchester, Waltham, or Wakefield, MA, we encourage you to contact North Suburban Eye Associates, P.C. today at (781) 245-5200 to schedule an eye examination. With four convenient locations, our team can assist with a wide range of ophthalmology problems and concerns.

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