What are the Treatments for Macular Degeneration?
Currently, there are no treatments that prevent Macular Degeneration or reverse the loss of vision caused by this disease. The most commonly applied clinical approach to Macular Degeneration is laser treatment which in some cases can slow the progression of the disease, but does not restore already lost vision. This disease usually develops painlessly over a long period, often going unnoticed in its early stages. It is therefore important to receive regular examinations by a qualified eye care specialist who will be able to detect the early signs of Macular Degeneration and prescribe self-diagnostic tests that can be performed at home.
Earlier, there were no treatments for macular degeneration. About 15 to 20 years back, laser photocoagulation was used for the first time to treat ARMD. For the last 5 years, newer treatments, which are more effective, are coming up. The most commonly applied clinical approach to Age Related Macular Degeneration is one in which in some cases can slow the progression of the disease, but does not restore already lost vision. This is possible with special laser called Photodyanamic therapy. Newer therapeutic approaches include Photodynamic therapy along with intravitreal injections like Lucentis, Macugen or Avastin.
Dry macular degeneration has no substantiated treatment methods. Zinc supplements, antioxidants, and increased UV protection in sunglasses are measures that some believe may help prevent the disease. The primary treatment for wet macular degeneration is surgery. Surgery cannot cure the disease, but it can slow its progression. For moderate cases of wet AMD, laser surgery is often used to destroy the intruding blood vessels at the back of the eye. This surgery is only effective before the vessels have grown under the macula. If vessel growth has progressed this far, their destruction may do more harm than good. For more advanced stages of wet AMD, doctors usually turn to another surgical method called photodynamic therapy. In this procedure, a light-activated drug is injected into the patient’s arm. The eye surgeon then shines a laser into the patient’s eyes. The laser is not intense enough to damage tissue on its own. But it activates the drug – which by this point has dispersed throug
