Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - Wet

Exudative AMD refers to the disease process in AMD whereby choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) develops and grows through defects in Bruch's membrane into the sub-RPE or subretinal spaces.

CNV carries the likelihood of leakage, leading to RPE detachment, subretinal haemorrhage or lipid, and ultimately disciform scarring and central blindness.

For further description, see 'Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - classification' (Optician, February 3).

SYMPTOMS

Exudative AMD may cause profound central visual impairment.

SIGNS AND CLASSIFICATION

Exudative AMD was classified by the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) research group as Levels 4 and 5 in their classification for AMD:

Level 4 Advanced: choroidal neovascularisation, other exudative maculopathy, or geographic atrophic maculopathy in one eye but not the other. These forms of AMD carry a high risk of sudden, severe, central vision loss

Level 5 The most severe form of AMD is bilateral advanced AMD. In more than 40 per cent of patients with exudative AMD, the condition becomes bilateral within five years.