Wet AMD is when new, fragile blood vessels grow under the macula and leak fluid or blood into the retina

Wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) accounts for about 10 percent of all AMD cases, but it causes the majority of severe vision loss. The condition develops when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the macula—the part of your retina responsible for sharp, central vision. These vessels are fragile and leak fluid or blood, which damages the light-sensitive cells in the macula. Unlike dry AMD, which progresses slowly over years, wet AMD can cause noticeable vision loss in weeks or months.

The key difference from dry AMD is speed and reversibility. Dry AMD involves gradual thinning of the macula with no new blood vessel growth. Wet AMD involves active leaking, which means treatment can sometimes stop or slow the damage if you catch it early. Without treatment, wet AMD almost always leads to central vision loss severe enough to affect reading, driving, and recognizing faces.

Key Takeaways

  • Wet AMD involves abnormal blood vessels leaking under the macula, causing faster vision loss than dry AMD.
  • Symptoms include straight lines appearing wavy, a dark or blurry spot in the center of your vision, or sudden vision changes.
  • Early detection matters because injections into the eye can slow or stop leaking if treatment begins before severe damage occurs.
  • You will need regular eye exams and imaging tests (OCT or fluorescein angiography) to monitor the condition and guide treatment decisions.
  • Wet AMD does not cause complete blindness, but it can make central vision too blurry for tasks that require detail.

How abnormal blood vessels form under the macula

Wet AMD develops when the eye produces signals that trigger the growth of new blood vessels in the wrong place. The macula normally has a stable network of tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina. In wet AMD, the eye releases growth factors—chemical signals—that cause new vessels to sprout beneath the macula. These new vessels are structurally weak: their walls are thin and permeable, so they leak fluid and blood.

The leaking fluid accumulates under or within the macula, pushing the light-sensitive cells out of place and damaging them. This is why wet AMD causes vision loss so quickly. The exact reason some people develop these abnormal vessels is not fully understood, but age, genetics, smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity all increase the risk. Having dry AMD in one eye does not may provide you will develop wet AMD, but it does increase the likelihood.

Symptoms that appear suddenly or worsen over days

Wet AMD symptoms often develop faster than dry AMD symptoms, sometimes over days or weeks rather than months. The most common early sign is that straight lines appear wavy or distorted—a door frame, a window edge, or text on a page may look bent or rippled. This happens because fluid under the macula distorts the position of the light-sensitive cells.

Other symptoms include a dark, blurry, or blank spot in the center of your vision; colors appearing less bright or vivid; or difficulty reading even with glasses. Some people notice a sudden increase in the size of floaters (small shapes drifting across your vision) or flashing lights at the edge of your vision. If you notice any of these changes, contact your eye doctor within a few days. Wet AMD is one of the few eye conditions where timing matters for treatment outcomes.

How doctors detect wet AMD with imaging tests

Your eye doctor will start with a visual acuity test and an eye exam using a dilated pupil to look directly at the macula. If wet AMD is suspected, they will order imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis and map the location and extent of the leaking vessels.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is the most common test. It uses light waves to create a detailed cross-section of the retina, showing fluid accumulation, thickened areas, and the exact layers affected. Fluorescein angiography involves injecting a dye into your arm and photographing how it flows through the blood vessels in your eye. This test shows which vessels are leaking and how fast the dye is spreading. Some doctors also use indocyanine green angiography if the leaking vessels are deeper in the retina. These tests are not painful but do require you to sit still and keep your eye open while images are taken.

Treatment options that slow or stop leaking

The most common treatment for wet AMD is anti-VEGF injections. VEGF stands for vascular endothelial growth factor—the chemical signal that triggers abnormal blood vessel growth. Anti-VEGF drugs block this signal, which stops new vessel growth and reduces leaking. The medication is injected directly into the eye, usually once a month for the first three months, then adjusted based on how well it is working.

Common anti-VEGF drugs include bevacizumab (Avastin), ranibizumab (Lucentis), aflibercept (Eylea), and brolucizumab (Beovu). Your doctor will choose based on the type of wet AMD you have and how your eye responds. The injections can halt vision loss and sometimes improve vision if caught early, but they require ongoing treatment—usually every four to twelve weeks depending on the drug and your response.

Other treatments include photodynamic therapy (PDT), which uses a light-activated drug to close off leaking vessels, and laser photocoagulation, which burns closed the abnormal vessels. These are less commonly used now because anti-VEGF injections are more effective, but they may be an option if injections do not work or if you cannot tolerate them. Your doctor will discuss which treatment makes sense for your specific situation.

What to expect during and after treatment

An anti-VEGF injection takes about 15 minutes total. Your eye will be numbed with drops, and the area around your eye will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution. You will feel pressure but not pain when the needle enters the eye. After the injection, your vision may be blurry for a few hours, and you may see floaters or have mild discomfort. Most people return to normal activities the next day.

You will need follow-up appointments every four to twelve weeks to check how well the treatment is working and decide whether to continue, adjust the dose, or switch medications. OCT imaging will be repeated to measure fluid levels and retinal thickness. Some people respond well and need fewer injections over time; others need ongoing treatment indefinitely. The goal is to keep the macula dry and prevent further vision loss, not necessarily to restore vision that has already been lost.

Living with wet AMD and protecting remaining vision

Wet AMD does not cause total blindness. Even with significant central vision loss, your peripheral (side) vision remains intact, which allows you to navigate spaces and maintain some independence. However, central vision loss makes reading, driving, and recognizing faces difficult without aids.

To protect your remaining vision, continue regular eye exams as your doctor recommends—usually every four to eight weeks during active treatment. Use the Amsler grid at home: a simple grid of lines that you look at daily to catch any new waviness or blank spots early. Take medications as prescribed, manage blood pressure and blood sugar if you have diabetes or hypertension, and avoid smoking. Low-vision aids—magnifying glasses, screen readers, high-contrast lighting—can help you continue reading and using computers. Organizations like the American Foundation for the Blind and your local blind services agency offer training in adaptive techniques and can connect you with resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can wet AMD in one eye lead to wet AMD in the other eye?

Yes. About 40 to 50 percent of people with wet AMD in one eye will develop it in the other eye within five years. This is why regular eye exams for both eyes are important, and why your doctor may recommend preventive measures like managing blood pressure and not smoking.

Will injections into my eye hurt or damage my vision further?

The injection itself is not painful because the eye is numbed first. The needle is very thin and enters the eye at a safe angle. Injections do not damage vision; they are meant to stop further damage. Some people experience temporary blurriness or floaters afterward, but these usually resolve within hours.

How long do I have to keep getting injections?

This varies. Some people respond well and need fewer injections over time. Others need ongoing treatment indefinitely to keep the macula dry. Your doctor will monitor your response with imaging tests and adjust the treatment schedule. Stopping injections too early can allow leaking to resume and cause additional vision loss.

Can wet AMD be cured?

No, but it can be managed. Current treatments stop or slow the leaking and prevent further vision loss, but they do not reverse damage that has already occurred. Research into new treatments, including gene therapy and stem cell approaches, is ongoing.

What if I cannot afford the injections?

Anti-VEGF drugs are expensive, but most insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid cover them. Pharmaceutical companies offer patient assistance programs for uninsured or underinsured people. Ask your eye doctor's office about these programs or contact the drug manufacturer directly.