How is macular degeneration treated?
Despite ongoing research, there is no cure or medical treatment for the dry form of macular degeneration. However, low vision rehabilitation is very useful in helping people use their remaining vision in order to perform activities of daily living and maintain as high a level of independence as possible. Certain types of wet macular degeneration can be treated with laser therapy. Traditional laser therapy uses a highly focused light to dry up leaking blood vessels or preventing them from continuing to grow. The area, treated with the laser, becomes a permanent blind spot. However, the vision loss is usually less severe than if laser therapy was not done. Laser treatment does not permanently stop the formation of new blood vessels. Therefore, repeat treatments are usually needed. The Food and Drug Administration approved a new treatment for wet macular degeneration, a treatment known as photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT uses the medication Visudyne, that causes light sensitivity; and a lo
