Intravitreal Injections for Macular Degeneration: How They Help Preserve Visions

Losing your sharp, central vision can feel scary, especially when it starts affecting simple things like reading, driving, or even recognizing faces. Macular degeneration is one of the most common reasons people experience this type of vision loss. But the good news? Treatments like intravitreal injections can slow the disease down and help protect your sight.

In this article, we’ll explain what macular degeneration actually is, why some people develop it, and how intravitreal injections can help.

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What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration affects the macula — the part of your retina responsible for your central vision. This tiny area helps you see the fine details when you’re looking straight ahead. When it starts to deteriorate, you might notice blurriness or dark spots right in the center of your vision, while your side vision stays intact.

There are two types of macular degeneration: dry and wet.

Dry Macular Degeneration

Dry macular degeneration happens slowly. Over time, the macula gets thinner, and tiny clumps of protein called drusen build up. You might not even notice any changes at first, but as it progresses, your vision starts to blur, especially when trying to read or see details up close.

This is the most common type and usually develops as you age. Genetics, smoking, and high blood pressure can raise your risk.

Wet Macular Degeneration

Wet macular degeneration is less common but more aggressive. It happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under your retina and start leaking fluid or blood. This causes sudden vision loss if left untreated. You might see straight lines start to look wavy, or dark spots show up in your vision out of nowhere.

Doctors still aren’t sure what exactly triggers those rogue blood vessels, but it seems tied to the body trying to grow new vessels in response to damage. Unfortunately, in this case, the new growth does more harm than good.

Both forms of macular degeneration come down to damage in macula — but wet AMD tends to move faster and cause more severe vision loss without treatment.

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Symptoms of Macular Degeneration Can Include:

Blurry or fuzzy spots in your central vision
Straight lines appearing wavy or distorted
Trouble seeing details up close or far away
Dark or empty spots blocking your view
Colors looking faded or less vibrant

Needing brighter light to read or see clearly
Faces becoming harder to recognize
Slower recovery of vision after bright light
Difficulty seeing fine print or intricate details
Trouble adjusting between light and dark rooms

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What Are Intravitreal Injections?

If your doctor mentions intravitreal injections, they’re talking about a treatment that delivers medication directly into your eye. This might sound intimidating, but it’s a quick, routine procedure your retina specialist performs right in the office.

These injections target conditions like wet macular degeneration, where abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid or blood. Left untreated, these blood vessels can cause rapid vision loss.

During the appointment, your eye is numbed with eye drops so you won’t feel pain. The medication, often anti VEGF injections, works to block the signals that tell those abnormal blood vessels to grow.

How Can Intravitreal Injections Help?

Intravitreal injections are one of the most effective options for macular degeneration treatment, especially for wet AMD. They don’t cure the disease, but they slow it down and protect your central vision from getting worse. Many people even notice clearer vision after starting treatment.

For age-related macular degeneration, these injections help control leaking blood vessels that form under the retina. By stopping the leaks, your doctor prevents further vision loss and helps preserve the sight you still have.

Sometimes, your retinal specialist might recommend other therapies too, like photodynamic therapy, depending on how aggressive the disease looks on your optical coherence tomography scan.

While dry macular degeneration doesn’t have a proven treatment yet, regular monitoring keeps your doctor ready to act if it ever turns into wet AMD. Staying on top of your care can help you avoid severe vision loss and protect your independence.

Contact The Center For Retina and Macular Disease

If you’re noticing any changes in your vision or have been diagnosed with macular degeneration, our team at the Center for Retina and Macular Disease is ready to help. Our experienced specialists use advanced treatments, including intravitreal injections, to manage related macular degeneration AMD and protect your sight.

Whether you need a dilated eye exam or help managing a complication like retinal detachment, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

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