Dry and wet AMD are different treatment pathways
UKE distinguishes the more common, usually slower dry form from the less common wet form, in which abnormal choroidal blood vessels can cause fluid, bleeding and faster visual deterioration. This distinction changes both urgency and treatment, so the referral should include the exact AMD phenotype rather than only the word 'macular degeneration'.
OCT is central to diagnosis and follow-up
German university retina services use OCT to show high-resolution retinal structure and detect fluid, drusen and other macular changes. Fundus examination, autofluorescence and fluorescein or other angiographic imaging may be added when the clinical question requires them.
Wet AMD usually requires an injection pathway rather than surgery
UKE and University Hospital Cologne document intravitreal medication for neovascular AMD. Anti-VEGF treatment is generally repeated according to disease activity and the chosen regimen, so international patients need a realistic plan for serial injections and OCT follow-up rather than a one-off travel procedure.
Dry AMD and geographic atrophy require a different discussion
Monitoring, smoking avoidance, visual aids and selected nutritional strategies may be discussed according to an individual patient's risk profile. Patients reading about complement-inhibitor injections approved in other jurisdictions should verify German availability: the European Medicines Agency refused marketing authorization for Syfovre (pegcetacoplan), while the Izelvay (avacincaptad pegol) EU application was withdrawn. Treatment availability should therefore be confirmed with the German retina center rather than assumed from US information.
New distortion or rapid central visual change needs prompt reassessment
A person with known dry AMD can develop neovascular disease. New metamorphopsia, a new central blur or a meaningful sudden decline in central vision should prompt timely local ophthalmic assessment rather than waiting for international travel planning.
Prepare a longitudinal AMD record
Treatment decisions are easier when the retina team can see how anatomy and vision changed over time.
- Recent macular OCT images and reports from both eyes
- Earlier OCT scans for comparison
- Current and previous visual acuity
- Fundus photographs and autofluorescence if available
- Fluorescein, ICG or OCT angiography if previously performed
- Exact intravitreal injection history: drug, dates and response
- Any previous photodynamic or laser treatment
- Current smoking status and relevant cardiovascular history
- Current eye supplements or medications
Official sources
Sources last checked 2026-09-13. Ophthalmic treatment can be time-sensitive, so confirm current recommendations directly with the treating eye team.
- Age-related macular degeneration – diagnosis and treatment — University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) ↗
- Retinal diseases – AMD, OCT and anti-VEGF treatment — University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) ↗
- Retinal surgery and intravitreal injections — University Hospital Cologne ↗
- Retinology – retinal imaging and AMD clinical research — University Medical Center Freiburg ↗
- Syfovre – refusal of EU marketing authorization — European Medicines Agency (EMA) ↗
- Izelvay – withdrawn EU marketing-authorisation application — European Medicines Agency (EMA) ↗