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OCT (Retina) Dx · Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration

Wet AMD on OCT — subretinal fluid and pigment epithelial detachment

Classic OCT signs of neovascular (wet) AMD before the first anti-VEGF injection.

Patient context — 72-year-old female, sudden central blur in right eye for 5 days

Submitted byDr. Shantanu Kumar Gupta

Cross-sectional spectral-domain OCT of the macula in a 72-year-old woman presenting with sudden central blur in the right eye. The scan demonstrates sub-retinal fluid (SRF) and a small pigment epithelial detachment (PED) — hallmarks of active choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) in wet age-related macular degeneration.

The patient was loaded with three monthly intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, with subsequent OCTs showing near-complete resolution of the fluid and a stable PED. Vision improved from 6/60 to 6/12.

Teaching points:

  • OCT is the single most sensitive tool for confirming activity in wet AMD.
  • Any new sub-retinal or intra-retinal fluid in a patient > 55 with drusen warrants urgent referral.
  • Do not wait for the patient to notice distortion — early treatment protects reading vision.

Further reading & references

Medical disclaimer

This article is for patient education. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, examination or diagnosis. If you have symptoms discussed here, please book an in-person consultation with a qualified ophthalmologist.