Ophthalmology
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Distinguish dry (no specific treatment, AREDS supplements) vs wet (anti-VEGF intravitreal); central vision loss; lifestyle.
Source: RCOphth; NICE NG82
Step 1 of ~4
info
Diagnose + Distinguish
AMD: leading cause of central vision loss in UK >65y.
Dry (atrophic) AMD (90%): drusen + RPE atrophy; gradual progression; no acute treatment.
Wet (neovascular / exudative) AMD (10%): choroidal neovascularisation + leakage / haemorrhage; rapid vision loss; treatable.
Features:
• Reduced central vision; metamorphopsia (Amsler grid distortion).
• Difficulty reading, recognising faces.
• Peripheral vision preserved.
Diagnose:
• Slit lamp + fundoscopy.
• OCT macula — gold standard for diagnosis + monitoring.
• Fluorescein angiography for wet AMD (CNV pattern).
• OCT angiography.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Drugs
- Ranibizumab · Anti-VEGF (intravitreal injection)
- Bevacizumab (Intravitreal) · Anti-VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitor)
- Aflibercept 2mg/0.05mL Intravitreal Injection (Eylea) · Anti-VEGF agent (intravitreal)
- Faricimab (Intravitreal) · Anti-VEGF and Anti-Ang-2 — Bispecific Monoclonal Antibody
- Brolucizumab (Intravitreal) · Anti-VEGF — Single-chain Antibody Fragment (scFv)
- Brolucizumab · Anti-VEGF (specialist intravitreal)
Pathways
- Acute Red Eye / Vision Loss Screen · RCOphth 2020; NICE CKS
- Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension · ABN; consensus 2018
- Acute Red Eye Assessment · RCOphth / AAO
- Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma · RCOphth / EGS Guidelines
- Retinal Detachment · RCOphth Guidelines / EURETINA
- Diabetic Retinopathy — Screening and Management · NICE NG28 2016 / NHS DES Programme
Decision support only. Always apply local guidelines and clinical judgement.