Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in developed nations, characterized by yellow deposits called drusen underneath the retina.

Eighty-five to ninety percent of AMD is considered dry while 10% can be classified as “wet”. Wet AMD results from abnormal blood vessel formation that leak and produce scar tissue beneath the retina, whereas dry AMD usually only involves superficial blood vessel growth that does not penetrate deeply enough beneath it to cause scarring below.

Macugen

Macugen, developed by Eyetech Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer, is the first drug specifically targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the protein responsible for abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage associated with wet age-related macular degeneration. As it could preserve vision while slowing progression to legal blindness, Macugen received priority review by the FDA.

This medication is an injectable treatment administered by a doctor once every six weeks and may lead to side effects like punctate keratitis (inflammation of the surface of cornea), eye pain, increased intraocular pressure and floating or opaque spots within your vision. If any such symptoms arise, contact your physician immediately.

Two large clinical trials conducted with Avastin demonstrated its ability to significantly slow vision loss for people suffering from wet AMD, becoming the first drug from its new class of anti-VEGF agents that target proteins responsible for blood vessel formation in the eye. Other similar drugs, like Lucentis and Avastin have shown similar success at delaying vision loss rates in macular degeneration patients.

This medication is covered by most Medicare and private health insurance plans. To find out more, read its prescribing information from its manufacturer. Additionally, consult your doctor about its costs and whether or not it would be suitable for you.

Before getting a prescription for Macugen, it is important to discuss your medical history and present all relevant symptoms, allergies or health conditions to your physician. Furthermore, discuss which medicines you take (e.g. over-the-counter medicines, vitamins or herbal supplements). It should not be given to those suffering from eye conditions like retinal tears or severed blood vessels.

At two large clinical trials of this drug, there was a small but significant number of serious reactions, such as anti-VEGF medications or other types of angiogenesis agents that contained serious angiogenesis inhibitors or agents designed to block angiogenesis inhibitors (anti-VEGF medications) or other angiogenesis agents leaking out through structures beneath the retina into eye cells and tissues.

Visudyne

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of severe vision loss among those aged 55 or above, typically when their retina – the thin layer of light-sensitive tissue at the back of their eye) gradually degenerates, eventually resulting in central or straight-ahead vision becoming gradually blurrier and eventually lost altogether. Macular degeneration may not be as severe, yet still makes driving and reading challenging. Macular degeneration’s early stages often show no symptoms and are only detected through an eye exam with dilation. Later stages of macular degeneration can develop into wet macular degeneration (WMD), which is more serious. WMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow into the retina and leak fluid that causes further vision loss. Common treatments for WMD include anti-VEGF injections and laser therapy therapy.

Visudyne has shown great promise in slowing the progression of wet macular degeneration (WMD). It works by decreasing oxidative stress levels within the eye. After six months of Visudyne treatment, patients who experienced advanced AMD were able to see eight more letters on the vision chart; an impressive achievement and encouraging sign for researchers.

The FDA recently granted approval of an implant which provides continuous anti-VEGF agent ranibizumab treatment to treat wet macular degeneration. The device will be surgically placed into each eye and refilled every six months – offering patients an alternative to monthly anti-VEGF eye injections and offering them greater convenience in treating wet macular degeneration. It should become widely available within several months.

VISUDYNE (verteporfin for injection) is an FDA-approved medication used in combination with laser light to stop the leakage of blood vessels associated with wet macular degeneration, pathologic myopia or ocular histoplasmosis. When administered orally and injected directly into a vein, this drug travels through your bloodstream into the eye where laser light activates it and effectively stops retinal blood vessel leakage that leads to vision loss in wet macular degeneration patients.

Anti-VEGF Therapy

People living with wet age-related macular degeneration, also known as neovascular AMD, the most effective treatment is anti-VEGF therapy. This medication inhibits blood vessels that leak fluid into the retina and damage light-sensitive cells resulting in vision loss. A recent study suggests that approximately one third of those receiving anti-VEGF treatments may eventually be able to discontinue injections altogether once their condition stabilizes.

Researchers conducted an examination of data from 106 people treated with Avastin and Eylea injections since 2009. All had been diagnosed with wet AMD and started receiving medication around 2009. Their visual acuity improved while on these medications; at the time of study about one third still had 20/20 vision or better. Their results were published in JAMA Ophthalmology journal.

Patients in this study were monitored using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), which provides detailed views of retinal blood vessels. With these images, scientists evaluated morphological details regarding macular neovascularizations (MNVs), status/location/activity of MNVs as well as other features associated with their AMD.

Over time, several anti-VEGF medications have been approved to treat wet AMD. These intravitreal injections include Avastin and Eylea – two popular products manufactured by Roche that share similar effects on the body.

These injections are usually administered by retina specialists. Sometimes a laser may be used to guide injections into the eye; in most instances however, doctors inject directly into its fluid.

The new study demonstrated that anti-VEGF medication such as Aflibercept (Alteplase) and Bevacizumab (Avastin) could effectively halt wet AMD progression, with researchers suggesting customized treat-and-extend regimens be utilized to optimize results for individual patients. Early Retinal Fluid-free status after anti-VEGF therapy treatment would serve as a measure of long-term effectiveness of treatment for Neovascular AMD.

Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is an innovative treatment option for precancerous lesions and sun damaged skin that could become cancerous in the future. PDT involves administering Levulan as a photosensitizer activated with light sources; this destroys abnormal cells while simultaneously encouraging new healthy ones to form in their place, leaving healthy ones intact as healing occurs in their place. PDT may also help treat tumors and vascular disorders.

PDT treatment involves applying the photosensitizing drug topically onto the area that needs treating, leaving it on for several days before activation with a special light source that absorbs Levulan, killing cells that must be destroyed. Once activated, patients’ skin is washed before returning home – though some individuals may experience discomfort in the form of warmth, tingling or heat sensations but these typically subside within several hours; patients must avoid direct sunlight for up to 48 hours post procedure.

Though macular degeneration currently has no cure, many therapies show promise for treating it. Photodynamic therapy seals leaky blood vessels in the retina to slow further vision damage; currently being trialed with patients suffering from wet age-related macular degeneration which involves new blood vessels forming underneath it and leading to blindness.

Recent findings published by PLoS ONE indicate that patients treated with verteporfin photodynamic therapy for wet AMD experienced improved vision which remained stable after three months, suggesting this treatment may delay further vision loss and preserve quality of life for those still able to drive or read.

Photocoagulation, which uses laser light to seal off blood vessels leaking fluid beneath the retina, has also been studied as a potential therapy option. It has been tested on patients undergoing other therapies like verteporfin photodynamic therapy or macular degeneration injections.