Intravitreal Injections for Wet AMD: How This Tiny Treatment Saves Your Sight

Elderly man being examined by an ophthalmologist, illustrating diagnosis and treatment planning for wet age-related macular degeneration with intravitreal injections

Losing vision to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can feel sudden and scary. But today, there’s a way to stop the damage in its tracks. Intravitreal injections help preserve vision and slow the progression of the disease. Here, we will walk you through how these injections work and what results you can expect.

At Millennium Park Eye Center in Chicago, IL, our skilled ophthalmologists provide advanced eye care with precision and experience. Our team comprises board-certified physicians and retina specialists who are trained in the latest treatments for macular degeneration, including anti-VEGF therapy and complex retina surgeries.

What Is Wet AMD and Why It Affects Your Vision

Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of central vision loss in people over 50. It comes in two types: dry and wet. Wet AMD is more aggressive, but also more treatable if caught early.

Here’s what happens with wet AMD:

  • Abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina: These vessels leak fluid and blood.
  • This causes swelling and damage: Central vision becomes blurry, warped, or missing.
  • Vision loss can progress rapidly: Without treatment, it can become permanent.

Wet AMD makes it difficult to read, drive, or see faces clearly. That’s why early diagnosis and treatment are so important.

How Anti-VEGF Therapy Works

Anti-VEGF therapy is the most effective treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). VEGF stands for vascular endothelial growth factor, a protein that promotes the growth of abnormal vessels. Intravitreal injections deliver anti-VEGF medication directly into the eye. This slows or stops the growth of damaging vessels and can even improve vision.

Here’s what to expect from the process:

  • Numbing the eye: Drops are used to keep you comfortable.
  • Quick injection: A tiny needle places the medicine in the vitreous gel.
  • No need for surgery: The treatment is done in-office and takes just minutes.
  • Minimal downtime: Most people resume normal activities the same day.

Injections may be administered monthly initially, then less frequently over time.

Long-Term Benefits of Intravitreal Injections

When started early, intravitreal injections can dramatically slow the progression of wet AMD. Many patients maintain, or even regain, useful vision.

The benefits of consistent injections include:

  • Preserved independence: Continue reading, driving, and staying active.
  • Improved clarity: Blurred or wavy vision often becomes sharper.
  • Reduced risk of severe vision loss: Ongoing treatment prevents future damage.

Most patients tolerate the injections well and view them as a small price to pay for saving their sight.

Keep Your Vision in Focus with the Right Team

If you’ve been diagnosed with wet AMD or suspect vision changes, don’t wait. Call 312-996-2020 to schedule a consultation and protect your vision with personalized treatment.

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