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Eye Disorders
Aids-Related Vision Impairment Amblyopia Blepharitis Cataract Charles Bonnet Syndrome Chronic Dry Eye Diabetes-Related Eye Disease Floaters Glaucoma Hemianopia Keratoconus Macular Degeneration Retinitis Pigmentosa Retinopathy of Prematurity River Blindness Strabismus Stargardt's Disease Trachoma

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Types of Wet Macular Degeneration

There two main types of the wet form of macular degeneration are classic choroidal neovascularization and occult choroidal neovascularization.

Classic Choroidal Neovascularization (Classic CNV)

Classic choroidal neovascularization involves a very rapid leakage of blood and fluid under the retina, causing the surface of the retina to become elevated and uneven. The leakage may even break through some of the layers of the retinal tissue, damaging the retina and leaving blind spots in vision.

Occult Choroidal Neovascularization

Occult choroidal neovascularization involves a slower leakage of blood and fluid under the retina. Because the leakage is more gradual and not as much fluid escapes, the retina does not become as elevated and uneven as it does with classic CNV. Without treatment, occult choroidal neovascularization causes vision loss more slowly than does classic CNV.

Approximately 96 percent of wet cases are mainly occult or a mix of occult and classic. Pure classic occurs in only 1 percent of cases. Occult choroidal neovascularization can possibly develop into classic CNV.

By Eleanor E. Faye, MD, FACS, and Sarah Lloyd