I have been under Dr Verter's care for a couple years after a torn retina. He and his team in Westport have been rockstars! Kudos to all!!! 👏👏👏👏
Macular Degeneration Treatment at New England Retina Associates
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss in Americans over age 50. There is currently no cure, but in many cases the progression of the disease can be slowed, and vision can sometimes improve or stabilize with advanced therapies.
85%+
Patients Experiencing the "Dry" Form of AMD
90%+
Maintained Vision with Wet AMD Injection Therapy
Based on National Eye Institute data and landmark anti-VEGF clinical trials (MARINA/ANCHOR). Individual results may vary.
Concerned About Your Macular Health?
Schedule an evaluation with one of our fellowship-trained retina specialists to assess your risk and explore your treatment options.
Request an AppointmentUnderstanding the Eye
What Is the Macula?
The macula is at the back of the eye, the bull’s eye center of the retina. It is the part of the eye that allows us to see fine details such as the numbers on a watch, the features on someone's face, or the amount of spices poured from a container.
People with macular degeneration still retain peripheral vision, but lose the ability to see details. Early detection is important for effective treatment.
Loss of Fine Detail
Difficulty focusing on specific central details like faces or small text.
Maintained Peripheral Vision
AMD primarily affects central vision, leaving your side (peripheral) vision largely intact.
Recognizing the Symptoms of AMD
The first sign of macular degeneration is often the build‑up of tiny yellow deposits called drusen that your eye doctor sees during a dilated eye exam, sometimes before you notice any vision changes.
Drusen Spots
Crooked Straight Lines
Warped Doorframes
Different Colors Per Eye
Loss of Center Vision
Monitor Your Vision With an Amsler Grid
Monitor daily with an Amsler Grid
Your Macular Degeneration Specialists
At New England Retina Associates, our specialists bring decades of expertise in diagnosing and managing age-related macular degeneration. Using the most advanced retinal imaging and targeted therapies, we work closely with you to slow disease progression and help preserve your essential central vision.
Specialized Expertise
Fellowship-trained retina specialists dedicated to advanced macular care
Personalized Treatment
Customized care plans tailored to the specific type and stage of your AMD
Advanced Diagnostics
State-of-the-art retinal imaging, OCT, and angiography for precise detection
Clinical Research
Active involvement in clinical trials for the latest sight-saving AMD therapies
The Two Forms of Macular Degeneration
Dry (non-exudative) AMD: Approximately 85–90% of people with macular degeneration have the dry form. Drusen (spots) on the macula present for a long time may cause the macula to thin out and stop working (atrophy). This causes slow, progressive vision loss.
Wet (exudative) AMD: In the wet form, abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula and leak fluid and blood. The abnormal vessels, called choroidal neovascularization, may also lift up the retina. It is much more severe and rapid than the dry form.
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS2) found that a specific combination of vitamins and minerals, substituting lutein and zeaxanthin for beta-carotene, can reduce the risk of progression from intermediate dry AMD to advanced AMD by approximately 25%. Your retina specialist can determine whether AREDS2 supplements are appropriate for your stage of macular degeneration.
Risk Factors
Age (over 50)
Light iris color
Heart disease
High blood pressure & Cholesterol
Advanced Treatments for Wet AMD
If diagnosed early enough, modern treatments can seal abnormal blood vessels and slow vision loss, or even restore vision in some patients.
Primary Treatment
Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Injections
An injection in the eye of an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) can seal leaky vessels and slow vision loss. Previous trials have shown that approximately 90–95% of patients maintained their vision with intravitreal injections and 33–40% of patients had an improvement in vision.
Including medications such as Lucentis (ranibizumab), Eylea (aflibercept), Avastin (bevacizumab), and Vabysmo (faricimab), which offer different dosing schedules and may be tailored to your specific retina needs. Your doctor will recommend the most appropriate medication based on your condition and treatment response.
Seals abnormal blood vessels
Slows progression of vision loss
Can improve vision in some cases
Outpatient, in-office procedure
Other Treatments for Wet AMD
1
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Employs a drug (Visudyne) injected into the arm. A low-energy red laser beam activates the drug, destroying abnormal vessels while preserving healthy tissue.
2
Focal Laser Treatment
Higher energy laser treatment to stop further deterioration. Success is heavily determined by early treatment and the location of abnormal blood vessels.
3
Clinical Trials
Newer drugs are being investigated. New England Retina Associates is involved in clinical trials testing potentially more effective treatments.
4
Daily Monitoring
Monitoring vision daily with an Amsler grid is critical to report any changes immediately and catch abnormal blood vessel growth early.
Symptoms of Macular Degeneration
If you experience any of the following vision changes, it may be an early sign of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Early detection is critical for effective treatment.
Appearance of spots (drusen) in your retina
Distortion or waviness in straight lines
Doorframes or flat surfaces appear warped
Colors appear faded or different in each eye
Loss of ability to see fine details clearly
Difficulty recognizing people's facial features
Trouble reading small print or numbers
A blurred or dark spot in the center of your vision
Possible Future Treatments
We keep up-to-date on the latest retinal treatments being developed and are actively involved in research trials that hold the most promise for our patients.
Stem Cell Research
Involves replacing dead or dying cells in the eye with brand new cells derived from undifferentiated biological cells to restore retinal function.
Gene Therapy
Involves replacing defective genes inside individual cells using vector agents, offering long term promise for treating complex conditions like AMD.
Prosthetic Retina
An electronic (man-made) replacement for the retina, often called a “bionic eye.” Currently only used in patients with profound, advanced vision loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I monitor Dry AMD at home?
It is very important that people with dry AMD monitor vision daily with an Amsler grid. If the straight lines on the grid appear distorted, crooked, or if you notice any new blank spots, you should report these changes to your eye doctor immediately, as this may indicate a progression to Wet AMD.
Are there any medical treatments for Dry AMD?
There are still no treatments that completely reverse dry AMD, but for advanced dry AMD with geographic atrophy there are now FDA‑approved injection treatments (Syfovre and Izervay) that can slow down further damage. Your retina specialist will tell you if you are a candidate for these newer therapies and whether AREDS2 vitamins may help slow progression.
What causes Wet AMD?
In the wet form of AMD, abnormal blood vessels (called choroidal neovascularization) grow under the macula. These vessels leak fluid and blood, which can lift up the retina and cause rapid, severe central vision loss.
Where can I find further information?
You can read more about AMD at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) or view the National Eye Institute's facts about Age-Related Macular Degeneration and what the AREDS studies mean for you.
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