At first, the round black dots that Carmen saw spattered across the bathroom sink were frustrating, but not concerning. Since her grandchildren were staying with her, Carmen assumed that something had been spilled—but not yet cleaned up. It wasn’t until she began tidying up that she noticed an issue:

 “Instead of being wiped away, the dots appeared on the tops of my hands. I immediately went to the doctor and was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration. I was referred to an ophthalmologist the next day.”

Luckily, the ophthalmologist was extremely knowledgeable about wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), the rarer of the two forms of macular degeneration. The ophthalmologist answered every question that Carmen had (and then some) and quickly started her on medication.

Now, two years into Carmen’s wet AMD journey, she is opening up about her own experiences and why it is so important to raise awareness.

What is Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Wet AMD)? 

Wet age-related macular degeneration begins as dry macular degeneration before progressing. Only 20% of people develop wet AMD. This long-lasting eye disorder occurs when abnormal blood vessels leak blood or fluid into the macula, the part of the eye responsible for clear vision. If you are Caucasian, above 55 years old, smoke cigarettes, have cardiovascular disease, or have a family history of wet AMD, you’re at an increased risk of developing this condition.

Symptoms may appear suddenly and worsen rapidly. Potential symptoms may include:

• Visual distortions (ex: straight lines appearing wavy)
• Difficulty adjusting to low light
• Reduced central vision
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty reading or recognizing faces
• A well-defined blind spot in your field of vision
• Colors that seem less intense or bright

Managing Wet AMD

There are a number of treatments available for wet AMD that are designed to stop disease progression and preserve vision, the most commonly prescribed being injectable eye medicines. Several years ago, Carmen and her doctor decided to begin EYLEA; she had to get injections every 3-4 weeks. At first, says Carmen:

“It was very stressful and nervewracking to get eye injections. Over time, I was able to increase the time between injections to 5 weeks.”

More recently, Carmen’s ophthalmologist told her about a new medication called VABYSMO that could further extend the time between injections. With Vabysmo, Carmen is now going almost three months between treatments. She shares:

 “My sister always goes with me since the doctors have to numb my eye, which is kind of traumatic. Having 10 weeks between treatments gives her a chance to breathe, but it’s also a relief for me. It’s one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I’ve seen a huge improvement. Before, I had thousands of those little circles floating around. Now, it’s rare that I ever see them.”

To Carmen, VABYSMO has had a big impact on her life. She no longer worries about her vision deteriorating to the point where she might lose it completely.

Why Raise Awareness?

Before her diagnosis, Carmen had never heard about age-related macular degeneration. She feels that this is a condition that is not widely discussed, but that’s concerning. Even during the diagnostic process, some people are not getting accurate information. Carmen shares a story about her friend who was recently diagnosed with AMD, saying:

“My friend doesn’t have private insurance or know that she can apply for grants or help with medication. She didn’t have that information, or information on managing her AMD, explained to her. I’ve known someone else with AMD who couldn’t explain it at all. I want people to know that it’s important to understand your condition, but also that there are options out there that can give you peace of mind and make sure that you’re on the right treatment.”

Awareness is important because it amplifies these stories, helps people to better understand their condition, and forms a community. Carmen shares that having a support system is so important because caregivers can help you during in-person appointments and may pick up information that you might miss. Additionally, finding online support groups and discussing your experiences can reduce feelings of isolation.

Final Advice

If you are at the start of your wet AMD journey, you may be feeling a little nervous or uncomfortable. What happens next? What treatment should you pursue? Carmen offers some advice to help you on your journey, saying:

“Don’t miss your appointments. The longer you wait, the worse your condition gets. It’s scary to hear that you have a lifelong condition. But with the medications coming out now, it is manageable. Ask your doctor to explain things in detail. Write your questions down so you’re ready when you get to the doctor’s office. If you have questions, ask. No question is a stupid question when it comes to your health.”