What is it?
AMD comes in two forms. Dry AMD (about 85 to 90 percent of cases) progresses slowly over years as yellow deposits called drusen build up and the retina thins. Wet AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula and leak; it can cause rapid, severe loss of central vision.
Side vision is not affected, so AMD does not cause total blindness, but it can make reading, recognising faces and driving impossible. Checking each eye separately with an Amsler grid helps catch wet AMD early.
Symptoms
- Wavy or bent straight lines
- A grey or dark patch in the centre of vision
- Needing more light to read
- Faces look blurred
- Colours look less bright
Risk factors and causes
- Age over 50
- Smoking (the biggest avoidable risk)
- Family history
- High blood pressure
- Diet low in green leafy vegetables and fish
New distortion or a new dark patch in the centre of one eye needs a check within a few days: it may be wet AMD.
Call +91 98306 66650How it is diagnosed
- OCT: shows fluid and drusen
- OCT angiography or FFA: confirms abnormal vessels
- Amsler grid at home
Treatment options
Anti-VEGF injections (wet AMD)
Monthly to start, then 'treat and extend' as the macula dries. Long-acting medicines (aflibercept, faricimab) can allow longer gaps.
AREDS2 vitamins (intermediate dry AMD)
A specific combination of lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, copper and vitamins C and E lowers the risk of progression in intermediate dry AMD.
Lifestyle
Stop smoking, control BP, eat green leafy vegetables and fish, wear sunglasses.
Low-vision aids
Magnifiers and lighting advice for advanced disease.
Macular degeneration (AMD) cost in Kolkata
At Spectra, anti-VEGF injections cost ₹10,000–12,000, OCT ₹1,000 and FFA ₹3,500. Wet AMD often needs 6 to 8 injections in the first year. Longer-acting medicines cost more per dose but may need fewer doses; your doctor will compare the yearly total with you.
| Treatment / test | At Spectra | Typical Kolkata range |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-VEGF injection (Spectra standard)per injection | ₹10,000 – ₹12,000 | ₹10,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Biosimilar ranibizumab (e.g. Razumab)per injection | Written estimate | ₹10,000 – ₹18,000 |
| Aflibercept (Eylea and biosimilars)per injection | Written estimate | ₹30,000 – ₹65,000 |
| Faricimab (Vabysmo)per injection | Written estimate | ₹65,000 – ₹95,000 |
| OCT scan (retina / macula)per scan | ₹1,000 | ₹1,000 – ₹2,500 |
| OCT angiography (OCT-A)per scan | Written estimate | ₹2,000 – ₹4,000 |
| Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA)per test | ₹3,500 | ₹2,500 – ₹5,000 |
Spectra prices are those published by Spectra Eye Hospital. Kolkata ranges are indicative 2026 ranges across private eye hospitals in the city. Your final cost depends on the eye, the medicine, and the gas, oil or lens used, and is given to you in writing before any procedure.
Cashless and government schemes
Retina specialists for macular degeneration (amd)
Dr. Subhajit Das
MBBS, DO, MS (Ophthalmology), FICO, FMRF
25+ years in medical and surgical retina, 7,500+ retinal procedures, vitreo-retina fellowship at Sankara Nethralaya (FMRF), ZEISS trained.
- Retinal detachment surgery
- Vitrectomy
- Scleral buckle
- Anti-VEGF injections
Dr. Aniruddha Maiti
MBBS, DO, DNB, FVRS, FICO, MRCS (Edinburgh), FACS
10,000+ vitreo-retinal operations since 2008, former Head of Retina at Susrut Eye Foundation, ASRS Honor Award recipient.
- Macular hole & ERM surgery
- Complex retinal detachment
- Diabetic vitrectomy
- Anti-VEGF & Ozurdex
Dr. Bishwanath Dutta Chowdhury
MBBS, DO, DNB, VR Fellowship
Fellowship-trained retina surgeon at Madhyamgram for retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.
- Retina & vitreous surgery
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular degeneration
- Uveitis
Dr. Subijoy Sinha
MBBS, MD
Retina and vitreous specialist for diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and medical retina at Madhyamgram.
- Medical retina
- Retina & vitreous
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular degeneration
Dr. Swarup Pathak
MBBS, MS
Retina and vitreous specialist at Madhyamgram, also seeing uveitis, neuro-ophthalmology and squint.
- Medical retina
- Retina & vitreous
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular degeneration
Dr. Zeenat Shah
MBBS (Cal), DO (Cal)
Retina and vitreous specialist at Chinar Park for diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.
- Medical retina
- Retina & vitreous
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular degeneration
Frequently asked questions
Is macular degeneration curable?
There is no cure yet, but wet AMD can be controlled very well with injections, and most people keep useful reading vision when treatment starts early.
What is the cost of AMD injections in Kolkata?
At Spectra Eye Hospital the standard injection costs ₹10,000–12,000. Across Kolkata, biosimilar ranibizumab costs ₹10,000–18,000, aflibercept ₹30,000–65,000 and faricimab ₹65,000–95,000 per injection.
Will I go blind from AMD?
AMD affects central vision only. Side vision remains, so people can still walk around independently.
How can I check my eyes at home?
Use the Amsler grid test on this site, one eye at a time, once a week. If lines look wavy or a patch is missing, book a check.
Related
Written by the retina team at Spectra Eye Hospital. Last updated 22 October 2026. This page explains common situations and is not a substitute for an eye examination.