What are the major risk factors for conversion from dry to wet AMD?

The conversion from dry to wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a critical concern in the management of this condition. Multiple soft drusen are indeed a significant risk factor. Drusen are yellowish deposits under the retina, and their presence, particularly when there are numerous soft drusen, indicates a higher likelihood of progression to wet AMD. Soft drusen are often associated with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dysfunction, which can lead to choroidal neovascularization (CNV), a hallmark of wet AMD.

Hypertension also plays a role in AMD progression, as it affects retinal blood flow and may contribute to vascular changes in the retina that could increase the risk of developing CNV. Therefore, the combination of multiple soft drusen along with hypertension exemplifies a critical association with the risk for the transition from dry to wet AMD, highlighting the importance of monitoring these factors in affected individuals.