| Wet macular degeneration occurs in about 10-15 | | | | as a support structure to the choroid. |
| percent of age-related macular degeneration | | | | 3. The Choroid is made of blood vessels and |
| (AMD) cases. The other type that is most | | | | capillaries and is the only source of blood to the |
| common is the dry form. | | | | macula. |
| Wet AMD is called wet because of the new and | | | | Choroidal Neovascularization - What is That? |
| leaky blood vessels that grow in the choroid layer | | | | In wet AMD, or choroidal neovascularization, the |
| of the retina. | | | | choroid layer of the retina grows new and |
| Other Names for wet AMD | | | | immature blood vessels that are: |
| 1. Subretinal neovascularization (SRNV) - which | | | | 1) fragile and |
| simply means new vessels underneath the retina | | | | 2) leak blood and fluid into the spaces above and |
| 2. Choroidal Neovascularization (new vessels in the | | | | below the photoreceptor cone cells. 3) This blood |
| choroid layer of the retina) | | | | and fluid builds up pressure and raises the macula |
| 3. Exudative macular degeneration (seeping of fluid | | | | 4) and the cone cells are damaged as well. There |
| or blood) | | | | is rapid, permanent loss of central vision. |
| 4. Advanced Macular Degeneration | | | | If you hear the word subretinal neovascularization, |
| Layers of the Retina | | | | it is just another word for wet age related |
| There are three important layers of tissue that | | | | macular degeneration. Subretinal simply means |
| feed the macula and remove waste products. | | | | underneath the retina and neovascularization |
| They are: | | | | refers to new blood vessels. |
| 1. Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) | | | | The wet form results in more vision loss than the |
| 2. Bruch's Membrane is the inner most layer of | | | | dry form. |
| the choroid. It acts as a blood-retinal barrier and | | | | |