A Doctor Discussion Guide about Wet AMD Treatment

The ConfidentPatient:A Doctor Discussion GuideAbout Wet AMD Treatment

Recognizing when something’s changed

Receiving a wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) diagnosis can feel sudden, confusing, and scary. You may have noticed subtle changes in the way you were seeing the world – maybe blurriness or dark spots, or straight lines appearing wavy. But you may not have expected that you have an eye condition.

Early diagnosis and timely treatment are key to preserving your vision and slowing the progression of AMD. And the more you share with your eye care team, the better they can support your treatment needs.

Adapting to progression

Life with wet AMD often means having to adapt to vision changes. Some changes may appear more suddenly than others, and your needs might even change from day to day.

Adapting your daily routine to the unpredictability of vision loss can be challenging. As wet AMD progresses, things you used to do with ease – like driving, reading, and seeing clearly in very bright or very dark places – may become harder. It is important to discuss these challenges with your care team.

Questions to ask your eye care team

Preparing for your next visit to your eye care specialist is a great time to check in with yourself about any changes in your vision so you can inform your care team.

If your vision is changing or worsening, having an open conversation can help you and your care team create a plan to slow progression and preserve the vision you have.

Not sure where to start? These questions can help guide your discussion:

Keeping an eye on progression

How do I know whether I’m experiencing progression?
Are there tools I can use at home to track any possible progression?
How do I know whether a change in my vision warrants a follow-up appointment with you rather than simply recording and monitoring it?
What stage of macular degeneration am I currently in?
How do I know when to start, stop, or continue eye injection treatments?

Exploring treatment options

What are the available treatments for the type and stage of macular degeneration I have?
What are anti-VEGF medications and how do they work?
How do I know if I’m a good candidate for these treatments?

Getting treatment that meets your needs

How will you evaluate whether my treatment is working or not?
How is my treatment schedule determined and how do you know when that schedule can be adjusted?
How do I know when it’s time to consider a different injection medication?

Coming prepared with questions about how your care can better fit your needs can help ensure that you and your care team are confident in your treatment pathway.

Symptom Check-in

Noticing vision changes?

Some vision changes are more noticeable than others. But if certain changes persist or worsen, it may be time to address them. Let’s check in about your vision.

In the last month, have you experienced a worsening of any of the following?

☐ Blurriness, especially in your central vision
☐ Dark or “blank” spots, especially in your central vision
☐ Trouble seeing in low light or at night
☐ Visual distortions (i.e. straight lines appear wavy)
☐ Colors appearing darker or faded
☐ Difficulty driving, reading, or recognizing faces
☐ Impaired depth perception

The Check-up

What to say at your next appointment

Describing the symptoms of wet AMD, as well as a worsening of those symptoms, can sometimes be difficult. Here are some ways to share your experience:

“Daily tasks and hobbies that used to be easy for me to do are harder now. Can we talk about that?”
“I’m noticing new dark/blank spots in my central vision. Is my macular degeneration progressing?”
“I think my vision may be getting worse even with treatment. Is it time to think about switching to a different treatment option?"

Remember: You are the expert on how you see the world.

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