Retina and AMD
Macular Degeneration Care Guide from first finding to long-term support.
About 11 million people in the United States have AMD, according to the National Eye Institute. Most are seen first in primary eye care. These guides cover the imaging, nutrition, referral and monitoring pieces that let a practice manage AMD and diabetic eye disease well and keep patients coming back.
Quick answer
Detect, stage, support, refer.
Stage every AMD patient with a dilated exam and imaging, start the AREDS2 formula when the stage calls for it, give at-risk patients a way to monitor at home, and refer wet AMD and geographic atrophy candidates to retina. Diabetic eye exams run on the same equipment and recall system.
Key takeaways
- Most people with AMD have the dry form, which progresses through early, intermediate and late stages.
- Supplements help intermediate AMD and late AMD in one eye, not early AMD.
- Wet AMD is treated with anti-VEGF injections; GA now has two approved treatments.
- Home monitoring can catch conversion between visits.
- Low vision care keeps patients with late disease functioning and in your practice.
Six guides in this section.
Start with equipment and nutrition, then the referral and monitoring pieces.
Retinal Imaging Equipment
Widefield, OCT and AI screening platforms, with the 2026 codes they support.
AREDS2 Supplement Guide
What AREDS and AREDS2 showed, the formula and who qualifies.
Anti-VEGF Injections
The wet AMD agents, their dosing and the co-management workflow.
Geographic Atrophy Treatments
Syfovre and Izervay, trial results and a referral pathway.
Diabetic Eye Disease Guide
A yearly diabetic exam service with imaging and reporting.
AMD Home Monitoring
Amsler grid, ForeseeHome and SCANLY Home OCT compared.
AMD stage at a glance.
How each stage maps to action, based on NEI descriptions.
| Stage | Typical symptoms | Practice action |
|---|---|---|
| Early dry AMD | Usually none | Monitor, counsel on smoking, diet and exercise |
| Intermediate dry AMD | None, or mild blur and trouble in low light | AREDS2 formula, home monitoring, regular imaging |
| Late dry AMD (GA) | Blurry or blank central areas | Image, refer treatment candidates, low vision care |
| Wet AMD | Wavy lines and faster central vision loss | Prompt retina referral for anti-VEGF treatment |
Build one AMD list in your records with each patient's stage and last imaging date. That list drives recalls, supplement refills, home monitoring enrollment and the GA conversation, and it is the backbone of the whole service.
RescueLink
Keep AMD patients on their formula.
Send the AREDS2 formula you recommend through RescueLink, with refills on auto-ship. Your practice earns a 15% participation credit on eligible OTC orders on VisionRescue.com; contact lenses and Rx are excluded.
- The patient orders the exact formula you chose
- Refills arrive without gaps
- No setup fee, subscription or quota
- The recommendation stays with your practice
Frequently asked questions
Where should a practice start with AMD care?
With staging and documentation: a dilated exam and imaging for every AMD patient, then the AREDS2 formula for those who qualify.
Is low vision care part of this section?
Yes, it has its own section. Patients with late AMD often benefit from a low vision evaluation and rehabilitation.
Do I need OCT to manage AMD?
OCT is the tool that shows fluid and thickness changes, so most practices managing AMD add it. Fundus imaging and autofluorescence also help document dry AMD.
Can my practice treat wet AMD?
Injections are given by a qualified physician, usually a retina specialist. Primary eye care detects, refers and co-manages.
Where do I order macular supplements?
AREDS2-based formulas, carotenoids and eye multivitamins are in the wholesale catalog, and RescueLink can route refills.
Does Vision Rescue sell imaging devices?
No. Imaging equipment is purchased from the manufacturers. Vision Rescue supplies the products patients use between visits.
References
- National Eye Institute. Age-related macular degeneration. NEI
- National Eye Institute. About AREDS and AREDS2. NEI
- National Eye Institute. Diabetic retinopathy. NEI
- Every source used across these guides is listed on the Vision Rescue sources page.
About this guide
Written for licensed eye care practices by the Vision Rescue team. Questions: providers@visionrescue.com or 1-855-692-8024.
Important notes and disclosures
Information only, not clinical or legal advice. Product names are trademarks of their owners and appear for identification; Vision Rescue does not endorse or review them. Scope of practice, coverage and coding rules vary by state and payer, so confirm locally. Clinical decisions rest with the treating eye doctor.
Run AMD care as a service.
Stage, supplement, monitor and refer the same way every time, and keep patients supplied between visits.