Frank Siringo, M.D., O.D., chief of vitreoretinal diseases and surgery at Omni Eye Specialists in Denver, reviews the current treatments for wet AMD, including anti-VEGF drugs.

Wet AMD Basics

Get the basics on the most advanced form of age-related macular degeneration, a condition known as wet AMD.

What Is Wet AMD?

Eye Injection Basics

Deeeep breath. This treatment isn't as stressful as you may think.

What Are Eye Injections Really Like? 

Eye Injection Risks

Anti-VEGF injections are highly effective medications, but as with all drugs, there are some potential (though uncommon) complications. 

What Are the Risks of Eye Injections?

Wet AMD vs Dry AMD

Learn what doctors know about the progression of age-related macular degeneration.

What's the Difference Between Wet and Dry AMD?

Wet AMD Prevention

There's a lot you can do to lower your risk of developing wet age-related macular degeneration. 

Can I Lower My Risk for Wet AMD?

Can I Prevent Wet AMD?

Wet AMD Symptoms

If you're at risk for wet age-related macular degeneration, it's crucial that you know how to spot the signs.

How Will I Know I Have Wet AMD?

What Are the Symptoms of Wet AMD?

WET AMD Diagnosis

Find out how doctors confirm a patient has wet age-related macular degeneration. 

How Is Wet AMD Diagnosed?

Wet AMD and Vision Loss 1

Vision can deteriorate fairly rapidly, so make that appointment as soon as possible.

How Quickly Can Wet AMD Lead to Vision Loss?

Wet AMD Causes

Doctors don't have definitive answers yet, but they do what what may increase your risk.

Why Did I Develop Wet AMD?

Wet AMD and Vision Loss 2

Vision loss was almost always permanent with wet age-related macular degeneration. Today's treatments offer new hope. 

Can Vision Loss From Wet AMD Be Restored?

Can Vision Loss From Wet AMD Be Reversed?

Wet AMD Treatment

Today's treatment options for wet age-related macular degeneration are more effective than ever. 

What Treatments Are Available for Wet AMD?

Current treatments for wet AMD include four approved drugs. They're all in the same class, and we call them anti-VEGF. VEGF is a molecule that promotes the growth of these abnormal blood vessels we see in wet AMD. So, the anti-VEGF drugs, which we inject into the eye, are very, very good at blocking that molecule, and they do so for at least a month. Sometimes after prolonged treatment, patients can go many months without another injection. In the past, we used to use lasers, so-called hot and cold lasers for AMD, and those treatments were far inferior.

In the future, in the very near future, there will likely be some surgical options for wet AMD as well. These will essentially deliver the same VEGF-inhibiting drugs over a sustained basis so that patients don't have to get monthly injections. There are also some other drugs in the pipeline that will be long-term polymers, or these sort-of molecules that dissolve over a long period of time, to minimize the need for treatments.


Follow Us

What Treatments Are Available for Wet AMD?

Today's treatment options for wet age-related macular degeneration are more effective than ever.

More Wet AMD Videos