Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition affecting the macula, the part responsible for central vision. Over time, AMD causes gradual loss of central vision that makes reading, driving and recognising faces increasingly difficult.

AMD comes in two main forms – dry and wet – with the latter often leading to central vision loss due to blood vessel leakage.

Stem Cell Treatment

Replacing dead or dysfunctional retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells has shown great promise as a cure for macular degeneration in animal models, rescuing dying photoreceptors while also preventing Drusen deposits from forming in their eyes. Unfortunately, several ethical, regulatory, and safety concerns must first be overcome before stem cell-based therapies become widely applicable.

Scientists are conducting laboratory grown human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) transplantation trials with patients suffering macular degeneration to replace damaged retinal cells with stem cell replacement therapies such as RPE transplantation using human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC-RPE transplantation), but this approach remains limited by long-term immunosuppression needs to stop immune systems from rejecting them as foreign. To overcome this hurdle, scientists are devising strategies to direct differentiation of hPSC-RPE into retinal pigment epithelium structures so as to integrate seamlessly with existing retinal tissues.

While the FDA has yet to approve of any stem cell-based treatments for macular degeneration, some commercial centers claim they provide “stem cell treatments.” Unfortunately, many of these clinics operate unregulated and may cause serious medical complications in their patients; as reported in a New England Journal of Medicine study at least seven patients at one Florida clinic experienced serious eye mishaps and blindness at that clinic alone.

The FDA strongly advises anyone considering stem cell treatment for any condition to request from their health care provider an NDA number and review of an FDA communication approving experimental use of their experimental treatment. This will ensure it’s used within an appropriate clinical trial, and help patients identify legitimate providers who prioritize patient safety. Furthermore, the FDA strongly discourages participating in any treatments which require payment in exchange for participation.

Anti-Angiogenesis Drugs

Anti-angiogenesis drugs inhibit new blood vessel formation by blocking their activity and can be used as an effective treatment against cancer and other diseases that rely on angiogenesis for growth or spread.

Scientists first proposed using drugs to inhibit angiogenesis to prevent tumor growth over three decades ago. Since then, scientists have discovered more than 300 substances with angiogenesis-inhibiting properties, both natural and synthetic chemicals synthesized in laboratories – such as green tea extract. These medications can either be injected intravenously or taken orally and work by blocking chemical signals which stimulate or inhibit blood vessel growth, or directly blocking cells that form blood vessel walls.

Ranibizumab from OSI EyeTech Pharmaceuticals stands out as an anti-angiogenesis therapy of particular promise, targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF causes new blood vessels to form that leak fluid into the retina and damage macula resulting in vision loss. A large clinical trial conducted using ranibizumab showed stabilization or improvement of central vision among its recipients; also being studied for treating wet age-related macular degeneration; an oral version is currently under investigation by Tyrogenex Inc.

Anti-angiogenesis drugs provide additional advantages by cutting off tumors’ access to nutrients, thus inhibiting their growth and spreading. Furthermore, these treatments may be combined with surgery or radiation for maximum effectiveness.

Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds essential for proper cell metabolism. They support growth and development while aiding nervous system functioning. Vitamin intake comes in small doses through food sources; rather than acting as energy providers themselves they help speed up chemical reactions that produce energy in our bodies. Vitamin A, D, E and K fall under fat-soluble category while B vitamins such as Folic acid and Pantothenic acid belong to water-soluble group.

Studies suggest that taking a mix of vitamins and minerals may slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. These vitamins include beta-carotene, zinc, antioxidant vitamins C and E and eye health essentials like lutein and zeaxanthin; according to AREDS 2 study by National Eye Institute substituting these important elements with beta-carotene for daily multivitamin supplement use reduced the risk of cataract formation as well as advanced macular degeneration.

This study was a 10-year follow-up of an earlier clinical trial that showed promise in slowing AMD progression. It involved 14,641 participants with mild to moderately advanced AMD who took an AREDS formula comprising of lutein and zeaxanthin plus other nutrients found within its confines as part of its daily treatment regime.

Vitamins come in pill and injection forms. While you can obtain most of your required vitamins from diet alone, it may be difficult to meet all the nutrient requirements needed for good health. Over-the-counter supplements containing antioxidants, vitamins C and E, zinc, copper, as well as B vitamins may help lower homocysteine levels associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk.

Laser Treatment

Laser surgery is used to treat macular degeneration by decreasing fluid in the eye and shrinking abnormal blood vessels that leak into retina. It is less invasive than traditional surgery and can even be completed at your doctor’s office. Laser eye surgery typically requires several short sessions. A special lens placed over your eye helps focus the laser beam for maximum effectiveness; you won’t experience any discomfort during this procedure. Once directed towards its target area, this laser beam provides relief. Laser light stimulates several reactions within retinal cells that are leaking fluid, including reduction in fluid volume and an increase in collagen production. Furthermore, laser treatment stimulates natural eye healing processes – another key part of treatment that may reduce new leaky blood vessel development.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive condition affecting the macula of the eye, where many of our most vital central vision functions reside. AMD is one of the primary causes of irreversible blindness among older people. Drusen deposits form beneath the retina and damage light-sensitive cells causing central vision deterioration that is detectable only through dilated eye exams.

UVA researchers are investigating a novel treatment for macular degeneration – low-level laser therapy or LLLT. This technique involves using a semiconductor laser diode that emits low-level laser light, which penetrates retina and causes biochemical reactions within eyes that may help slow or reverse progression and enhance vision.

Surgery

Macular degeneration is a progressive deterioration of the retina, an inner back layer of the eye responsible for transmitting images from light-sensitive nerve tissue called macular to the brain, leading to central vision loss and becoming the leading cause of blindness in those aged 50 or over. Although irreversible, macular degeneration may be reduced through regular comprehensive dilated eye exams administered by medical practitioners.

Macular degeneration most frequently takes the form of dry macular degeneration, in which yellow deposits called drusen accumulate beneath the retina. While initially these deposits pose no immediate threat, over time they can grow larger and eventually break down the macula, leading to loss of central vision. Regular eye exams are key in protecting against dry macular degeneration if you’re over 50.

About 10% of cases of ARMD fall into the “wet” variety, where abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and begin leaking blood and fluid, eventually damaging macula tissue quickly and worsening vision rapidly. Wet macular degeneration may be treated through injections of medication into one eye.

Researchers have recently developed a drug to combat wet macular degeneration. Similar to antiretrovirals used to treat HIV/AIDS patients, when administered to mice with macular degeneration it significantly slowed its progress.

This discovery marks a promising step toward finding a macular degeneration cure, though its effectiveness on humans remains to be tested in subsequent research phases. Additionally, large scale testing of the drug on people living with ARMD will need to take place so researchers can compare visual outcomes of those receiving treatment versus those not treated.