Which mechanism distinguishes wet AMD from dry AMD?

Which mechanism distinguishes wet AMD from dry AMD?

• A. Dry AMD involves choroidal neovascularization.
• B. AMD is not related to central vision.
• C. Wet AMD involves choroidal neovascularization; Dry AMD involves drusen and geographic atrophy.
• D. AMD is caused by infection.

Answer: (C)

Understanding the difference between wet and dry AMD comes down to the underlying change in the retina. Wet AMD is driven by choroidal neovascularization—abnormal growth of new blood vessels from the choroid under the retina that leak fluid or blood, causing rapid distortion and loss of central vision. Dry AMD, on the other hand, features drusen—yellow deposits between the retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch’s membrane—and can progress to geographic atrophy with degeneration of RPE and photoreceptors, typically more slowly. So the statement that wet AMD involves choroidal neovascularization while dry AMD involves drusen and geographic atrophy correctly captures the key mechanisms differentiating the two forms. The other ideas aren’t correct because CNV is not a feature of dry AMD, AMD does affect central vision, and AMD is not caused by infection.

Understanding the difference between wet and dry AMD comes down to the underlying change in the retina. Wet AMD is driven by choroidal neovascularization—abnormal growth of new blood vessels from the choroid under the retina that leak fluid or blood, causing rapid distortion and loss of central vision. Dry AMD, on the other hand, features drusen—yellow deposits between the retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch’s membrane—and can progress to geographic atrophy with degeneration of RPE and photoreceptors, typically more slowly.

So the statement that wet AMD involves choroidal neovascularization while dry AMD involves drusen and geographic atrophy correctly captures the key mechanisms differentiating the two forms. The other ideas aren’t correct because CNV is not a feature of dry AMD, AMD does affect central vision, and AMD is not caused by infection.