Which treatment method has been largely replaced for wet AMD?

The treatment method that has largely been replaced for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is thermal laser photocoagulation. This approach involved the use of laser therapy to destroy or seal leaking blood vessels in the retina. While effective in certain cases, it has several limitations, particularly in the context of wet AMD, where new blood vessel growth occurs beneath the retina.

The introduction of more advanced treatment modalities, particularly intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) agents, has provided a more effective and less destructive means of addressing the condition. These injections inhibit the growth of abnormal blood vessels and the leakage of fluid, ultimately leading to better preservation of vision and overall retinal health. As a result, thermal laser photocoagulation has become less favorable and is now rarely used as a first-line treatment for wet AMD.

Other treatments like vitrectomy and systemic steroids were not primarily designed for wet AMD and are rarely indicated for this condition, reinforcing the fact that thermal laser photocoagulation is no longer a preferred option.