Progression to Wet AMD

By CommunityMemberd3cf3d

1 min read

I am a 76 year old woman and I was diagnosed with dry AMD 8 years ago and it remained stable until this past February. One Sunday morning, I couldn't read the words in the hymnal my husband was holding, I had had no problem reading it the week before.

I got in to see my ophthalmologist the next day. He told me that my right eye had changed to the wet form. He immediately made an appointment for me with a retinal specialist. When I first saw him my vision in that eye was 20/200. He began injections of Avastin on February 28. Not a pleasant experience because of my sensitivity to some of the medications used, but worth it.

By the second time, I saw him there was already an improvement. Intervals between injections gradually increased and when I saw him today for my 5th injection my vision was 20/40 and he increased the interval to 12 weeks. But, he also told me that my left eye has developed into wet AMD and we will begin injections for that eye next week. Vision went from 20/25 to 20/40 since my last visit so he caught it quickly.

Hoping for good results again.

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Sharon Moore Moderator
Thank you for sharing your experience progressing from dry to wet. I am glad you regained vision with the injections. I hope you are that fortunate with the other eye. Warm wishes, Sharon Moore Patient Leader
edubree Member
I have to have a shot every 4 weeks.Dont seem to get any better.I have the wet
1. Sharon Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="edubree" user-id="4826148"/> have you been getting injections for very long? Sometimes people do see an improvement. I think the main goal of injections is to slow the progression. Warm wishes, Sharon Moore patient leader
edubree Member
I have been getting shots about a year and a half.
1. Sharon Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="edubree" user-id="4826148"/> if you haven’t already shared your concerns with your doctor, you could mention that the medication doesn’t seem to be helping. At that point some doctors switch to a different medication. Sharon Moore Patient Leader
edubree Member
They said the shots would keep it from getting worse
1. Sharon Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="edubree" user-id="4826148"/> slowing the progression is the main goal of treatment but I understand your desire to see improvement in your vision. Unfortunately not every patient does. Perhaps you can revisit the issue of changing medication at a future date. Regards, Sharon Moore patient leader
fallhyker Member
I just saw this article and was amazed that there was such an improvement when the wet AMD was discovered and the injections started. I didn't know that was possible, but was very excited to hear it! After reading this, I was guessing that when one changes from dry to wet, it's a big insult to the eye which makes it goes into "inflammation" ( or some process ) overload mode, and really fails with providing any useful eyesight. Do you suppose that because you were so quick to act that the initial insult reaction had calmed down a bit on its own, as part of the natural course of healing? And the improvement was partially due to that process in conjunction with the injections? I'm just trying to apply my kind of logic...not anything from a medical perspective. So happy to hear of your improvement and I hope it's still improving...it really provided a glimmer of hope!!! But I'd love to understand the actual change process better.
1. Sharon Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="fallhyker" user-id="3118143"/> Anti-VEGF medicines stop the abnormal blood vessels growing and leaking under the retina. Untreated wet macular degeneration may lead to loss of central vision. You can read more here https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/Patient%20information%20-%20intravitreal%20injections%20for%20AMD.pdf I do think our bodies play a role in healing especially when we do our part with proper nutrition and other lifestyle changes that support eye health. Regards, Sharon Moore patient leader 
2. Sharon Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMemberd3cf3d" user-id="6616726"/> thank you for sharing your experience with wet AMD. Left untreated wet AMD progresses quickly. I hope your vision hold so you can continue the activities you enjoy. Warm wishes, Sharon Moore patient leader
fallhyker Member
Ohhh, thanks for the more detailed description. I was hoping for a miracle of course! I hear you about the cross stitch and quilting and my feelings are the same, but for artwork. I did always want to be more 'impressionistic' and less detailed, so maybe this will force me into that😀 I quilted for many years so I know the visual acuity that's required. My vision has slipped some since my last retinal specialist visit (I go every 12 wks) so we'll see what has been going on in a couple of weeks. Best to you...Barbara
1. Sharon Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="fallhyker" user-id="3118143"/> sorry I don’t recall if you are getting injections for wet AMD or still dry. I have dry AMD but I learned this week one eye had started to atrophy, not what I had hoped for of course. My visual acuity has slipped so I can’t do close needlework anymore. I hope your next appointment goes well. Do keep us posted how you are doing. Best wishes, Sharon Moore patient leader
fallhyker Member
 Hi Sharon - I also have dry AMD...but my sister had wet, so I'm always thinking about that. Did they say that the atrophy was due to AMD or some other cause? As far as doing detailed work is concerned, I purchased the following: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B11SJ32Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1 If I need to do something very detailed in my drawing, I use this. It has 5 different levels for enhanced vision. ...I use the 3.5x, which is the highest. I wear only this and not my glasses and I find it works well for really giving a clear view for a very small space. The nose piece is not the most comfortable thing, but I think my husband might be able to make some kind of adjustment to it. It might be something to consider for your needlework. 
1. Sharon Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="fallhyker" user-id="3118143"/> my sister has wet but after 10 years of injections she has better vision than I have. The atrophy represents a progression of dry AMD. At this stage there is no medical treatment. Thanks for sharing your Amazon find to help with detailed work. Regards, Sharon Moore patient leader
fallhyker Member
Oh yes, if you're referring to GA...geographic atrophy, I'm very familiar with that, and have it as well. For me, one eye is considerably worse, and I so look forward to learning more about the new medication for dry AMD which the FDA recently approved. My doctor said he would most likely get it within a few months😀 Barbara
1. Sharon Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="fallhyker" user-id="3118143"/> I do hope you have access to this new treatment sooner rather than later. If you start treatment keep us posted. Sharon, Patient Leader