I see patients at four hospitals across Surrey and Buckinghamshire. The NHS page on AMD explains the condition, and you can find my other retinal treatments on the treatments page.
What is macular degeneration treatment, and what can it do?
The honest answer is that treatment aims to keep the sight you have. The NHS describes current treatments as a way to slow down changes in vision, not to reverse them. For wet AMD, though, injections have changed what a diagnosis means: they block the abnormal vessels that leak fluid and blood under the macula, which can slow the damage and, for some people, bring back a little clarity.
AMD is one of my specialist interests. I completed a medical Retina fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital, and at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust I was Clinical Lead for the AMD service. I have also been a sub-investigator in clinical trials of injection treatment for AMD.
AMD symptoms and when to get help quickly
Wet AMD can change sight within days, so new symptoms need prompt attention. The NHS vision loss page explains when to get urgent help.
| Your symptom | Possible cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Straight lines look wavy or bent | Possible wet AMD | See an Optometrist or me within days |
| A dark or empty patch in the centre | Wet or dry AMD | Get an urgent eye check |
| Slow blurring of central vision | Dry AMD | Book a routine assessment |
| Pain or redness after an injection | Possible infection | Call my practice the same day |
| Sudden loss of sight | Serious eye problem | Call 999 or go to A&E |
Who it may help: the conditions each option treats
Treatment is matched to the stage of the condition, which is why an accurate diagnosis comes first:
- Wet AMD (active): anti-VEGF injections, started as soon as possible
- Wet AMD that has settled: regular checks of both eyes, with treatment restarted if fluid returns
- Early or intermediate dry AMD: regular eye tests with your Optometrist, support with stopping smoking, advice on diet and whether nutritional supplements may be appropriate for you, and checking your own vision at home with an Amsler grid on a regular basis
The NHS page on AMD treatment sets out the options in plain terms.
Your options for wet and dry AMD
Anti-VEGF injections for wet AMD
The medicine is given as an intravitreal injection into the jelly of the eye, after anaesthetic drops. It reduces leakage from abnormal vessels under the macula. The aim is to keep your sight, and some people see better.
Support and monitoring for dry AMD
There is currently no NHS medical treatment for dry AMD. That does not mean nothing can be done. Regular eye tests and checking your own vision at home help pick up any change early, and the Macular Society reports that approximately 10-15% of people with late-stage dry AMD eventually develop the wet form, which can be treated. Stopping smoking, low vision aids and good lighting all help in daily life.
Why patients choose me for macular degeneration treatment
- Medical Retina training: a fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital after FRCOphth (2012).
- Training: BM (2005) at the University of Southampton, then FRCOphth (2012).
- Consultant since 2014: NHS consultant posts at West Hertfordshire and Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals.
- One doctor throughout: no call centre, so you reach me directly before and after treatment.
How long does treatment last?
For most people, wet AMD is a long-term condition rather than a one-off problem. After the first three injections, many units use a treat-and-extend approach: if the macula stays dry, the gap between injections is stretched a little at a time; if fluid comes back, the gap is shortened again. Some people need injections for years.
NICE also describes when to consider switching to a different medicine. Stopping is considered only if the injections are no longer providing benefit, or if the macula has become stable and treatment is no longer needed, and NICE says you should be fully involved in that decision. I will talk this through with you before any change, never after it.
When I talk about your macula being “stable” on the scan, I mean that the OCT shows no fluid at the macula. The interval between injections is then extended gradually, and stability is normally considered to have been achieved when there is no recurrence of macular fluid at a 16 week injection interval. If fluid does come back as the gap widens, we simply step the interval back again. I will show you your own scans and explain what they suggest for your next appointment.
Alternatives to injections
Injections are the treatment NICE recommends for wet AMD. Light treatments are used only rarely now. Choosing not to treat is your right, but wet AMD usually damages central sight quickly without it.
Starting treatment for wet AMD, step by step
01
Assessment
I examine both eyes and take an OCT scan of the macula to confirm whether there is active leakage.
02
Plan
I explain the findings, the choice of medicine and what a course involves, so you can decide with all the facts.
03
First injections
Most courses begin with three injections, once a month for three months.
04
Review
Regular OCT scans then guide whether to continue and how far apart the next injections can be.
Speed matters with wet AMD. NICE guidance expects treatment to be given within 14 days of referral to a macular service. If your Optometrist suspects wet AMD, you do not need to go through your GP first, and you can request an appointment with me directly.
Recovery and risks
Normal activities can usually resume from the following day. NHS eye units quote the risk of a serious eye infection at roughly 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 2,000 injections.
| Treatment | Hospital stay | Example risk |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-VEGF injection | Outpatient | Serious infection about 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 2,000 |
| Anti-VEGF injection | Outpatient | Raised eye pressure for a short time |
| Anti-VEGF injection | Outpatient | Retinal tear or detachment (rare) |
| Dry AMD monitoring | None | No procedure risk |
When to contact me straight away
If your central vision suddenly gets worse, straight lines start to look wavy, or a dark patch appears, get help the same day: call my practice, see an Optometrist urgently or contact NHS 111. A dark curtain or shadow across your vision needs urgent help too.
Where I treat macular degeneration
| Location | Address |
|---|---|
| Nuffield Health Woking (Wednesday mornings and evenings) | Shores Road, Woking GU21 4BY |
| The Runnymede Hospital (Tuesday afternoons, Wednesdays, Thursday mornings) | Guildford Road, Ottershaw, Chertsey KT16 0RQ |
| Mount Alvernia Hospital (Wednesday afternoons, Thursday mornings) | Harvey Road, Guildford GU1 3LX |
| VISIO Health (Fridays) | Unit 3, 4 The Courtyard, Riverside West, Wooburn Green, High Wycombe HP10 0DG |
Fees and paying for treatment
These are my 2026 consultation fees. Fees may vary slightly by hospital, and each hospital quotes its own price for the procedure after your assessment. Check whether the quoted price is per injection.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| New consultation | £260 |
| Follow-up consultation | £195 |
| Injections for wet AMD | Quoted after your assessment |
| Insured patients | Recognised by most major UK insurers, including Bupa (fee assured), AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA, Cigna, Aetna, Allianz, The Exeter, General & Medical, Healix, Saga and Benenden |
Macular degeneration treatment FAQs
Can macular degeneration be treated if caught early?
Wet AMD tends to respond better when injections start quickly, before scarring sets in, which is why NICE expects treatment soon after referral. Early dry AMD cannot be reversed, but finding it early means you can be monitored and act fast if it changes.
Can vision be restored after macular degeneration?
Treatment cannot reverse damage that has already happened. With wet AMD, injections aim to prevent further visual deterioration, and some people do see a modest improvement. I will counsel you with the appropriate prognosis for each eye.
Can macular degeneration be treated with laser?
Occasionally. A light treatment called photodynamic therapy was used in the past to treat wet AMD, and laser to seal leaking vessels still has a small role in selected cases, but NICE does not recommend photodynamic therapy as a first treatment for wet AMD. Injections are the standard first choice.
Is treatment covered by my insurance?
Many policies cover treatment for wet AMD, but the number of injections covered and any limits vary. Check your policy and get pre-authorisation before starting; I can help with the forms. Self-pay costs are quoted after assessment.
How long is recovery after an AMD injection?
Most people carry on as usual from the following day. A gritty feeling, or a red spot where the needle went in, can last a day or two.
Is an AMD injection major surgery?
No. It takes a few minutes in clinic after anaesthetic drops, and you go home the same day.
Can wet AMD come back after treatment?
Yes. Fluid can return when the gap between injections is stretched, which is why scans continue. If it returns, the gap is shortened again.
Is there an alternative to injections for wet AMD?
Injections are the main treatment. Light treatment or laser is used only in a few cases. I explain what each would mean for your eye.
How much does macular degeneration treatment cost?
A new consultation is £260 and a follow-up is £195. Injection costs are quoted by the hospital once I have assessed your eye, since the medicine and the number needed vary.
Can I drive after an injection?
Plan not to drive on the day. If your pupil is dilated, your vision stays blurred for some hours.
Book a consultation: a direct line to your doctor, before and after treatment
There is no call centre or switchboard. Call my practice, email enquiries@soniamall.co.uk or request an appointment online, and I aim to reply within 24 hours.
For an urgent eye problem that cannot wait, contact your GP, an Optometrist or NHS 111. Call 999 or go to A&E for sudden loss of sight, a serious eye injury, or signs of infection after a procedure.
