Wet AMD|Diagnosis

Wet AMD risk factors1,2


The following factors greatly increase a person's risk of developing neovascular AMD:

  • Age (>65 years)
  • Family history
  • Gender (women are at a higher risk)
  • Race (whites are at a higher risk)
  • Smoking
  • High-fat diet
  • Drusen deposits
  • Cataract surgery
  • Diagnosed with dry AMD

Patients with multiple risk factors or those that have been diagnosed with dry AMD should be screened frequently by an ophthalmologist and given an Amsler grid to monitor for disease.

AMD warning signs1


Patients with neovascular AMD may experience the following symptoms:

  • Fuzzy or blurred central vision
  • Distortion of objects
  • A blank or blind spot in the central field of vision
  • Straight lines appear wavy or curved

Monitoring and detecting neovascular AMD1,2

Some patients may be diagnosed with neovascular AMD after living with dry AMD for months or years. Following a diagnosis of dry AMD, patients should have regular checkups and may be given an Amsler grid to monitor their vision for signs of neovascular AMD at home.

Neovascular AMD patients should look at the Amsler grid either daily or weekly so that they can detect any change in vision as early as possible, in accordance with the following instructions:

  • Reading glasses should be worn
  • One eye should be covered
  • Patients should look at the center dot and keep their vision on it at all times
  • While looking directly at the center and only at the center, patients should be sure that all the lines are straight and all the small squares appear to be the same size
  • If they notice any area on the grid that becomes distorted, blurred, discolored, or otherwise abnormal, they should contact an ophthalmologist for an immediate appointment


Amsler grid

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Central vision loss due to neovascular AMD may be misinterpreted as part of the normal aging process. Neovascular AMD can be diagnosed through a comprehensive dilated eye exam performed by an ophthalmologist. If a change in vision is detected, the patient should be referred to a retina specialist, who will perform additional tests, such as fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT).


INDICATION

LUCENTIS® (ranibizumab injection) is indicated for the treatment of patients with:
  • Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
  • Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

LUCENTIS is contraindicated in patients with ocular or periocular infections or hypersensitivity to ranibizumab or any of the excipients in LUCENTIS.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Intravitreal injections, including those with LUCENTIS, have been associated with endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, and iatrogenic traumatic cataract. Proper aseptic injection technique should always be utilized when administering LUCENTIS. Patients should be monitored during the week following the injection to permit early treatment, should an infection occur.

Increases in intraocular pressure (IOP) have been noted within 60 minutes of intravitreal injection. IOP and perfusion of the optic nerve head should be monitored and managed appropriately.

Although there was a low rate of arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs) observed in the LUCENTIS clinical trials, there is a potential risk of ATEs following intravitreal use of VEGF inhibitors. ATEs are defined as nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or vascular death (including deaths of unknown cause).

ADVERSE EVENTS
Serious adverse events related to the injection procedure occurring in <0.1% of intravitreal injections included endophthalmitis, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and iatrogenic traumatic cataract.

In neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration clinical trials, most common ocular side effects included conjunctival hemorrhage, eye pain, vitreous floaters, vitreous detachment, and intraocular inflammation. Most common non-ocular side effects included nasopharyngitis, headache, arthralgia, and bronchitis.

In macular edema following retinal vein occlusion clinical trials, most common ocular side effects included conjunctival hemorrhage, eye pain, and maculopathy. Most common non-ocular side effects included nasopharyngitis, headache, influenza, and sinusitis.

For additional safety information, please see LUCENTIS full prescribing information 
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Amsler Grid

An Amsler grid may be used by patients at home to monitor their vision for signs of neovascular AMD.

Download an Amsler Grid 
(204 KB PDF) 

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