Written by Vicente Diaz, MD, MBA on February 13, 2026
Key takeaways
- Inflammation plays a significant role in the development and progression of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), from its initial dry form to the more advanced wet stage.
- Key inflammatory pathways, such as the complement system and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), are crucial targets for current and potential treatments for wet AMD.
- Various medications, including anti-complement agents, anti-VEGF drugs, and steroids, are used to manage inflammation in wet AMD and help prevent further damage to the eye.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) usually starts as the dry form of the disease and progresses to the wet form.
Dry AMD is characterized by drusen, a buildup of metabolic byproducts, and atrophy of the cells in the retina. When the condition evolves to include abnormal blood vessel growth and bleeding, it’s referred to as wet AMD.
Inflammation appears to play a role throughout this process.
Complement factors, proteins that are part of the immune system, have been implicated in the development of dry AMD. Anti-complement medications have been shown to slow the progression of atrophy in dry AMD.
Furthermore, wet AMD has been shown to respond to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition, which is released during inflammation and causes blood vessels to leak. Finally, steroids — broad anti-inflammation medications — have also been shown to reduce swelling of the retina in wet AMD.
These findings show that inflammation is a key contributor to the development and progression of wet AMD.
Researchers are also studying tyrosine kinase inhibitors as potential future treatments. Tyrosine kinase is another inflammatory mediator that may play a role in disease progression.
Inflammation is believed to play a role in the development of AMD.
The complement factor system and VEGF, both part of the body’s inflammatory signaling pathways, have been identified as important treatment targets.
Steroids, which broadly treat inflammation, are also helpful.
Read more: Inflammation and Wet AMD: Ask the Expert
Source: Healthline