age macular degeneration treatment
Because of the limitations of laser treatment, researchers and physicians are in search of macular degeneration treatment breakthroughs, in order to maintain vision for a longer period of time without repeated laser use. Treatments for Wet AMD: Anti-VEGF Therapy. VEGF is an acronym for vascular endothelial growth factor. Currently, the most common and effective clinical treatment for wet Age-related Macular Degeneration is anti-VEGF therapy – which is periodic intravitreal (into the eye) injection of a chemical called an anti-VEGF.. 1 Most people with age-related macular degeneration begin with the dry form. 2  The dry form of macular degeneration is fortunately much more common than the wet form. 3  Advanced dry macular degeneration, known as geographic atrophy, is the culmination of prolonged, progressive wasting changes in the nerves and sensory retina. Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness in people older than 55 years in the United States. Age-related macular degeneration affects more than 1.75 million individuals in the United States. There are two types of age-related macular degeneration: 1  Dry (atrophic) form: This type results from the gradual breakdown of cells in the macula, resulting in a gradual blurring of central vision. 2  Single or multiple, small, round, yellow-white spots called drusen are the key identifiers for the dry type. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD) is the most common cause of vision loss in those aged over 50. It causes a gradual loss of central (but not peripheral) vision. Central vision is needed for detailed work and for things like reading and driving. The disease does not lead to complete blindness. 1 Wet macular degeneration affects only about 15% of people who have age-related macular degeneration but accounts for two-thirds of the people who have significant visual loss. 2  More than 200,000 new cases of wet age-related macular degeneration occur each year in the United States. The earliest treatment was Laser Photocoagulation. Between 1979 and 1994, the Macular Photocoagulation Study Group conducted a number of clinical trials that enrolled patients with CNV lesions (Choroidal Neovascularization) in one or both eyes. Each affected eye was randomly assigned to either laser treatment or observation. Macular Degeneration Treatments. Macular degeneration treatment breakthroughs inspire hope that someday we may see a cure to this disease. Promising treatments, described below, depend upon the stage of disease progression. Macular Degeneration Overview. The diagnosis of macular degeneration is becoming increasingly more common due to patient awareness, physician access, groundbreaking improvements in treatment, and the relentless graying of the population exponentially increases the percentage of the population at risk for this condition.
It is the most common cause of vision loss in those aged over 50.