Wet age-related macular degeneration happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid, blurring central vision. It affects about 1 in 50 people over 75. Anti-VEGF injections into the eye have transformed treatment since 2006, preserving vision for many, but require frequent doctor visits.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing longer-lasting drugs that could reduce injection frequency from monthly to twice yearly, new mechanisms beyond VEGF blockade, gene therapies that may eliminate injections entirely, and implantable drug delivery devices. Researchers are also studying ways to predict who will respond best to treatment and whether earlier intervention prevents wet AMD from starting.
Longer-acting anti-VEGF drugs
Faricimab, approved in 2022, blocks both VEGF and angiopoietin-2 and lets many people go 16 weeks between injections. Several other drugs in trials aim for similar or longer intervals.
Gene therapy
One-time gene therapy injections could deliver anti-VEGF continuously from inside the eye. Early trials show some people maintaining vision for years without additional injections.
Port delivery systems
A tiny refillable implant sits in the eye and releases ranibizumab slowly. FDA-approved in 2021, it reduces visits to about twice yearly for refills instead of monthly injections.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on how recently wet AMD was diagnosed, current vision level, whether you've had prior anti-VEGF treatment, and retinal thickness on imaging.
What types of trials are currently open
- Anti-VEGF trials — Testing new drugs or formulations that block vascular endothelial growth factor, aiming for longer intervals between injections or better vision outcomes than current drugs.
- Gene therapy trials — Testing one-time injections that deliver genetic instructions for the eye to produce its own anti-VEGF protein, potentially eliminating the need for repeated injections.
- Combination therapy trials — Testing whether combining anti-VEGF with other drugs that target different pathways improves vision or reduces treatment burden.
- Device trials — Studies of implantable ports or drug delivery systems that release medication slowly inside the eye.
- Prevention trials — Testing whether treating high-risk dry AMD or early wet AMD changes can prevent vision loss before it becomes severe.
Recently added Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration trials
Take eye drops being tested for wet macular degeneration
This phase 2 trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study in patients with wet AMD to assess the efficacy and safety of NT-101 topical ophthalmic solution (0.20 mM) administered into the study eye twice daily (BID) for 12 weeks.
Receive a gene therapy injection into the eye for wet macular degeneration
This is a Phase II, randomized, open-label, active-controlled study designed to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and safety of a single subretinal administration of JWK001 at different dose levels in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
Find Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration trials matched specifically to you
Answer 3 quick questions and we'll show you trials that fit your situation.