Macular degeneration related to age is the main cause of loss of vision in persons over the age of 50 in the United States. It refers to damage to the part of the eye called as ‘macula’. The part called as macula is a tiny, but crucial area located at the centre of the retina. The retina is a tissue that senses light and lines the back of the eye. The macula enables your ability to spot fine details in a clear way. You rely on your macula while driving, reading or performing any other activity which needs precise details like threading needles. Any person suffering from age related macular degeneration (AMD) loses the ability to view fine details both at a distance and up close. Such a loss of detailed vision impacts only your central vision. The peripheral or central vision typically stays normal. For instance, a person may be able to perceive the shape of a clock, but may not be able to tell the time. Types AMD is of two types. Majority of persons (90%) suffer from Dry AMD, which develops when macula tissues become thin with age. The condition of Dry AMD leads to a slow loss of vision. A smaller (10%) number of persons suffer from more serious Wet AMD. This occurs when abnormal blood vessels emerge under the retina. These harmful vessels leak fluid and blood that may scar the macula. There might be a rapid loss of vision. Treatment There are several treatments for AMD. Based on your case, medications, vitamins, surgery, etc. may be considered.
Doctors consider that vitamin supplements may slow down mild or dry AMD. Studies have also found that consuming high levels of zinc and anti-oxidants lowered the risk of wet AMD by 25%. The doses and supplements must be decided by your ophthalmologist.
As per some studies, a protein called as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) may have a role in blood vessel overgrowth in the eye. Anti- VEGF medicines have proved to be effective in avoiding the spread of fragile blood vessels, which can leak and cause further damage to the macula. Medicines include Lucentis, Avastin and Eylea. These are administered as injections in the eye accompanied by a local anaesthetic. In case the problem has not subsided, the procedure must be repeated.
There are many therapeutic and surgical procedures to treat AMD. Your eye doctor will examine your condition in detail and determine which procedure suits your case.
This procedure uses targeted laser beams to prevent the spread of fragile blood vessels in the eye. This is typically conducted in an out-patient setting, and its impact can last for many years. Having said that, repeat of procedure might be needed in some cases.
This treatment usually for out-patients consists of an intravenous injection of medicines which cause the constriction of blood vessels in the eye, so as to prevent leaking. You may have a local anaesthesia and stay awake during the procedure.
They have been used for many conditions. In the case of AMD, there is an implantation of the device behind the iris of the eye. Such an implant works by a magnifying central vision and sending images to healthy portions of the retina. Alternative treatments; You may consider alternative treatments like:
These are all some treatments for the harmful condition called as AMD.
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