Wet AMD is the most common cause of progressive, irreversible, and severe vision loss in people over age 50. Anti-VEGF therapy is the newest and most effective treatment.
For wet AMD, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is produced in excess within the eye and promotes the development and growth of abnormal blood vessels under the macula area of the retina. These abnormal blood vessels leak fluid and blood, and lead to permanent scarring of the macula creating progressive and irreversible vision loss. Anti-VEGF drugs decrease the excessive VEGF within the eye and help slow or stop the growth of the abnormal blood vessels and limit their progressive damaging effects on vision.
Anti-VEGF therapy is more effective than other wet AMD treatments such as laser and surgery, and allows treatment of many patients whose condition may be otherwise untreatable. Additional vision loss can be prevented in 90 percent of eyes with ongoing anti-VEGF therapy, and that up to 30-40 percent of eyes may recover some vision previously lost. However, anti-VEGF therapy has limitations, burdens and risks that are important to understand.
Wet AMD is a devastating disease that threatens quality of life and may impair independence. Anti-VEGF therapy is a major advance in the treatment of wet AMD.