[MCQ 1] In patients with unilateral wet AMD, which of the following treatment options can significantly reduce the risk of visual loss and may even help restore vision in a minority of patients?
Intraocular corticosteroid injections
High doses of beta carotene, vitamin C and E and zinc
Antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections
Macular translocation surgery
[MCQ 2] Which of the following is usually the first symptom of wet AMD (the less common type)?
A central blind spot
Impaired color vision
Impaired peripheral vision
Photopsia (perception of flickering or flashing lights)
SUMMARY
ANSWERS
[MCQ 1] In patients with unilateral wet AMD, which of the following treatment options can significantly reduce the risk of visual loss and may even help restore vision in a minority of patients?
Intraocular corticosteroid injections - Corticosteroids (eg, triamcinolone) are sometimes injected intraocularly along with an anti-VEGF drug.
High doses of beta carotene, vitamin C and E and zinc - Used for dry AMD, not wet AMD, alongside lifestyle modifications.
[CORRECT] Antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections - Examples of injections include ranibizumab, bevacizumab and pegaptanib. These can limit progression and stabilise/reverse visual loss in patients with wet AMD.
Macular translocation surgery - Used much more rarely.
[MCQ 2] Which of the following is usually the first symptom of wet AMD (the less common type)?
[CORRECT] A central blind spot - The first symptom of wet AMD is often visual distortion, which may include a central blind spot (scotoma) or curving of straight lines (metamorphopsia).
Impaired colour vision - Colour vision is usually unaffected.
Impaired peripheral vision - Peripheral vision is usually unaffected.
Photopsia (perception of flickering or flashing lights) - Occurs later on usually.