Wet Macular Degeneration

No one knows the exact cause of wet macular degeneration, but it develops in people who have had dry macular degeneration. Of all people with age-related macular degeneration, about 20% have the wet form.

Factors that may increase your risk of macular degeneration include:

• Age - This disease is most common in people over 55.
• Family history and genetics.
• Smoking.
• Obesity.
• Cardiovascular disease.

• Manage your other medical conditions like cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure,
• Quit smoking
• Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly.
• Choose a diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins that reduce your risk of developing macular degeneration.
• Include fish in your diet for Omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Nuts, such as walnuts, also contain omega-3 fatty acids.

Vision loss leads to a higher risk of depression and social isolation. With profound loss of vision, people may see visual hallucinations (Charles Bonnet syndrome).

eye injections for reducing the progression of disease.

• Photodynamic therapy. This procedure is very occasionally used to treat abnormal blood vessels at the center of your macula.
• Photocoagulation uses a high-energy laser beam to seal abnormal blood vessels under the macula.
• Low vision rehabilitation.

For people with intermediate or advanced disease, taking a high-dose formulation of antioxidant vitamins and minerals may help reduce the risk of vision loss. Research from the AREDS2 (Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2) shows benefit in a formulation that includes:

• 500 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C
• 400 international units (IU) of vitamin E
• 10 mg of lutein
• 2 mg of zeaxanthin
• 80 mg of zinc (as zinc oxide)
• 2 mg of copper (as cupric oxide)