Breakthrough Treatment for Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

There’s good news for patients with the wet form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). With a new FDA-approved prescription medicine called LUCENTIS^®, people with wet AMD may experience an improvement in their vision or retain the vision they have, keeping vision loss from progressing.

In key clinical studies, about 95% of patients treated with LUCENTIS found that their vision stayed the same and up to 40% found that their vision improved significantly. As many as 40% of patients achieved vision of 20/40 or better.

While age-related macular degeneration is a chronic condition with no cure, LUCENTIS represents a breakthrough in managing the wet form of AMD.

Wet AMD
Age-related macular degeneration is a major cause of central vision loss in people 55 and older. AMD causes damage to the center of the retina, known as the macula. Wet AMD, the most serious form of the condition, often progresses very quickly. With wet AMD, the abnormal growth of blood vessels in the back of the eye leak blood and fluid which can cause scarring on the retina and damage the macula. This leakage can lead to a loss of central vision.

Although only 10% of people with dry AMD will develop wet MD, roughly 200,000 people in the US are diagnosed with this condition each year.

How LUCENTIS works
LUCENTIS is designed to block abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage. Monthly treatments target specific proteins associated with wet AMD, preventing them from causing more damage and possibly even reversing their effects.As a patient, you’ll receive treatment in the office. A retinal specialist will administer LUCENTIS through an injection in the eye. Your eye will be numbed to minimize any discomfort. Soon after your injection, you will have an exam, then be free to go home. Because your eye will have been dilated, you should arrange for a friend or family member to drive. You may also want to bring sunglasses since your eyes may be sensitive to light for a while.

Receiving monthly injections usually offers the best chance to improve your vision or retain the vision you have. Often it takes several treatments before you notice a change. Your progress will be monitored to determine the right treatment schedule for you.

Early diagnosis is critical
Symptoms of AMD include blurred central vision and seeing straight lines that appear wavy. If you notice these vision changes, schedule an eye exam right away. The sooner you begin treatment for wet AMD, the better your chances of getting some of your vision back or preventing vision loss from progressing.