Fast Five Quiz: Exudative (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Figure 1. Wet age-related macular degeneration, illustration.

On presentation, patients with wet AMD typically describe painless changes in vision and manifesting as progressive metamorphopsia (distorted vision) of the central, not peripheral, visual acuity. Although AMD occurs bilaterally, it is usually asymmetrical.

Development of geographic atrophy in the macular region can result in a scotoma (blind spot), which may slowly enlarge over months to years before eventually stabilizing. Such visual disturbances can adversely affect daily activities, such as reading and driving.

Onset of symptoms may be either acute or insidious, depending on the underlying pathophysiology. For example, patients developing subretinal hemorrhage typically report an acute onset, whereas those with choroidal neovascular membranes can experience insidious blurring secondary to shallow subretinal fluid or pigment epithelial detachments.

Learn more about the signs and symptoms of wet AMD.

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Cite this: F. Ryan Prall. Fast Five Quiz: Exudative (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) - Medscape - Mar 31, 2022.