Over 80% of those diagnosed with AMD suffer from its dry form. With this form, macula tissue thins as small clumps of protein called drusen grow underneath the retina causing central vision loss.

Visudyne is one of the latest treatments available to slow progression of wet macular degeneration and restore vision, working by shining a laser onto the retina to destroy leaky blood vessels and improve overall eye health.

Vitamins

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness among adults aged 50 or above and occurs when light-sensing cells within the macula break down or stop working properly, often leading to central vision becoming dim or blurry and straight lines appearing bent or crooked. Dry age-related macular degeneration is usually the form most prevalent and typically leads to dry drusen formation as a symptom.

Regular eye exams are important so that doctors can diagnose macular degeneration early and recommend treatment, if necessary. Dry macular degeneration typically develops slowly without severe vision loss; however if it progresses into wet AMD (exudative or neovascular), its risk increases substantially and severe vision loss could occur.

Studies suggest that eating foods rich in nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin may help slow the progression of dry macular degeneration. These antioxidants protect retinal tissue against damage caused by oxygen-charged molecules known as free radicals; you can find these nutrients in dark leafy green vegetables such as kale and spinach, yellow-orange fruits and vegetables as well as nutritional supplements.

Recent research indicates that some patients suffering from dry macular degeneration could benefit from nutritional supplements, such as the AREDS formula. Studies have shown this combination of antioxidant vitamins and zinc can slow progression but will not restore vision that has already been lost; your ophthalmologist can advise you about potential risks or benefits when considering taking these supplements.

Anti-angiogenesis drugs

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels to provide nutrients to specific areas in the body. Reducing angiogenesis is an effective therapy against cancers, eye diseases and vascular conditions; however, angiogenesis itself is necessary to support normal tissue structure and function, making anti-angiogenesis drugs potentially have serious side effects for some individuals. Recently however, scientists have developed reliable ways of monitoring angiogenesis inhibition using high-sensitivity molecular assays that provide critical new tools to doctors when developing and optimizing anti-angiogenesis treatments.

Macular degeneration occurs due to a breakdown in the macula in the retina of an eye. There are two forms of macular degeneration: dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration. Dry macular degeneration occurs when macular thins with age and tiny protein clumps called drusen begin forming; central vision slowly fades. Wet macular degeneration happens when abnormal blood vessels leak fluid under retina causing rapid loss of central vision than dry macular degeneration can.

As yet, no cure exists for wet macular degeneration; however, medications are available that may slow its progress and sometimes improve vision. One such medication is injection of anti-VEGF treatments known as VEGF blocks that block abnormal blood vessel growth that contribute to vision loss in this condition. These anti-VEGF treatments work by blocking chemicals responsible for their formation.

Other medications may also be utilized to treat wet macular degeneration. Such treatments include ranibizumab or bevacizumab injections directly into the eye to halt new blood vessel growth in the retina and reduce fluid leakage. When your doctor conducts an eye exam, they can detect changes to your macula and suggest specific regimens that you follow in order to delay or prevent vision loss; regular exams, additional testing, and laser treatments all play a vital role in staying ahead of this condition.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT)

Macular degeneration (or macular damage) occurs when the retina at the back of eye (macula) becomes damaged, leading to gradual central vision loss while side (peripheral) vision remains normal for people over age 50 in industrialized countries. Macular degeneration has two forms, Dry AMD and Wet AMD; with Dry AMD typically marked by gradual loss due to protein clumps known as drusen that form beneath retinal surface whereas Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath retina leaking fluid beneath retina – Wet AMD often progressing more rapidly resulting in severe loss of vision loss over time.

Laser photocoagulation was once the only viable treatment available to address wet macular degeneration, employing laser light into the eye to destroy newly formed blood vessels that leak, leading to vision loss. Unfortunately, however, it wasn’t always successful and many patients never witnessed a positive difference in their vision.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers one promising new approach for wet macular degeneration – Visudyne is used as part of this procedure, which uses light to activate it. When activated by the light source, Visudyne absorbs into abnormal blood vessels under your retina before producing a chemical reaction that destroys them through chemical destruction – this treatment has restored vision to an estimated 15% of wet AMD patients!

PDT treatment may lead to early side effects, including pain, erythema, burns, edema, contact dermatitis near where photosensitizer was applied and erosive pustular dermatosis at injection sites; these side effects typically disappear quickly following treatment and should only persist for short durations at injection points. PDT remains an attractive solution for wet macular degeneration patients due to its safe and straightforward procedure which has the ability to significantly enhance vision in large numbers of cases.

Stem cell therapy

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness in industrialized countries among people over 50, begins when tissue in the center of your visual field thins and breaks down gradually over time. This condition begins in the macula (central retinal area) where light-sensing cells (photoreceptors) start breaking down and eventually stop functioning altogether, leading to vision loss over time.

While dry AMD cannot be treated completely, early diagnosis and treatment can help to limit further vision loss. There are newer anti-angiogenic drug therapies available which may slow its progress and may even improve vision for some individuals – these involve injecting medication directly into the eye to counteract vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Wet macular degeneration (WMD) is the less prevalent form of macular degeneration, occurring when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and leak fluid into subretinal space, potentially leading to detached retina and vision loss or legal blindness. Treatment for wet AMD includes regular injections of medications to inhibit VEGF production or other factors that promote growth of abnormal blood vessels.

Laser therapy may help in some instances to destroy abnormal blood vessels to reduce fluid leakage beneath the retina, though this type of treatment typically does not restore lost vision.

Stem cell therapy uses stem cells to aid your body’s natural healing processes. Stem cells may come from either your own bone marrow during an in-office procedure, or from other sources; mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow can differentiate into blood cells, cartilage and fat tissues and also possess immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties.

Retrotope, an American company, is currently working to create an isotopically stable dietary supplement which will remove fuel that leads to uncontrolled LPO while simultaneously protecting photoreceptors. They anticipate filing an Investigational New Drug application (IND) application in 2021 for their drug, RT011, before initiating first-in-human clinical trials shortly afterwards.