Can wet macular degeneration be cured?

Currently, there is no cure for wet AMD, but treatments can help reduce the amount of vision loss you experience. There are also some lifestyle changes, medications, and surgical procedures you can try. Without treatment, wet AMD causes rapid, progressive central vision loss.

How is macular degeneration diagnosed?

To check for macular degeneration, an ophthalmologist or optometrist will perform a comprehensive eye exam. They will dilate your eyes to see a magnified view of the macula.

How does macular degeneration affect vision?

Vision with macular degeneration It causes blurred or reduced central vision, due to thinning of the macula (MAK-u-luh). The macula is the part of the retina responsible for clear vision in your direct line of sight. Dry macular degeneration may first develop in one or both eyes and then affect both eyes.

What is the best treatment for macular degeneration?

The main treatment for wet AMD is the injection of medications called anti-VEGF agents. VEGF stands for vascular endothelial growth factor. A high level of VEGF in the eye is linked to the formation of the abnormal blood vessels that cause much of the damage in wet AMD.

How long does it take to go blind from macular degeneration?

In late stages of AMD, you may have difficulty seeing clearly. On average, it takes about 10 years to move from diagnosis to legal blindness, but there are some forms of macular degeneration that can cause sight loss in just days. So, please contact us right away if you begin to experience symptoms.

What is an arteriogram?

These terms simply refer to a particular method of observing your arteries. The words preceding “arteriogram” let you know which part of the body will be involved in the test. For example, an aortic arteriogram observes the blood flow through the aorta, which is the main artery in your body. Arteriograms can be used in many areas of the body.

What happens during an arteriography?

During an arteriography, your doctor injects dye into your arteries. They then take X-ray images. The dye shows up in the images, allowing your doctor to see any blockage or narrowing in your arteries. In extremity arteriography, your doctor examines the arteries in your extremities.

What can be seen on an arteriogram?

Many arteries can be seen on an arteriogram, including those of the legs, kidneys, brain, and heart. A cerebral arteriogram is used to look at the blood vessels of the brain, head, or neck. For a cerebral arteriogram, a catheter is usually inserted into an artery in the groin.

What is a contrast arteriogram?

This test is also called angiogram. For arteriogram, your healthcare provider inserts a catheter into a large blood vessel and injects contrast dye. The contrast dye causes the blood vessels to appear on the X-ray image. This lets the healthcare provider better see the vessel (s) under exam.