Skip to main content
Macular degeneration

Wet AMD (Wet Macular Degeneration): Symptoms, Treatment and Outlook

Wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula — the part of the retina used for reading and faces — and leak fluid or blood. It can affect central vision within weeks, but modern injection treatment can often stabilise it when started quickly.

  • Wet AMD needs prompt assessment — speed protects vision
  • Diagnosed with an OCT scan of the macula
  • Treated with anti-VEGF injections into the eye
  • Side vision is usually preserved

Symptoms of wet AMD

  • Straight lines (door frames, tiles) looking wavy or bent
  • A blurred or dark patch in the centre of vision
  • Words disappearing when reading
  • Faces becoming hard to recognise
  • Symptoms developing over days or weeks

How wet AMD is treated

Anti-VEGF medicines block the signal that makes abnormal vessels grow and leak. They are given as a small injection into the eye after numbing drops, usually monthly at first and then spaced out.

  • OCT scan to confirm fluid at the macula
  • Course of anti-VEGF injections
  • Regular monitoring scans
  • Treatment intervals adjusted to how the eye responds

Living with wet AMD

Many people keep useful reading vision with ongoing treatment. Support and low-vision aids help with daily tasks.

  • Check each eye separately with an Amsler grid
  • Do not smoke — it raises AMD risk
  • Good lighting and magnifiers for reading
  • Cataract surgery can still help brightness and colour

When to seek urgent care

  • Sudden wavy or distorted central vision
  • A new dark spot in the middle of your vision
  • Ask to be seen within days — contact your optician, eye casualty or GP urgently

Frequently asked questions

Book an assessment

Appointments with Ms Tahmina Pearsall are available across the UK, with urgent slots prioritised for sudden symptoms.

The £250 consultation fee is charged separately from any treatment or surgery.

Related pages

People also search for: wet macular degeneration · wet AMD · wet AMD symptoms · wet ARMD · wet macular disease · anti-VEGF injections · eye disease wet AMD.

Join the community
Call Free 15-min call