Since 2023, no treatments had been approved by the FDA to address dry age-related macular degeneration; however, in 2023 a medication named Syfovre was approved and may help slow progression to wet form of macular degeneration where abnormal blood vessels grow and leak fluid behind retina.

Vitamins and Supplements

Age-related macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of vision loss among older adults, but some vitamins and supplements may help protect against it. One recent study discovered that supplementing with macular xanthophylls lutein and zeaxanthin, long chain omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin C, zinc with copper, and copper can lower progression to advanced AMD by 25 percent within five years; UCI Health’s Baruch Kuppermann recommends including these supplements into your daily diet as a preventative measure against this degenerative eye condition.

Eye disease occurs when the macula, a part of the retina that provides sharp, central vision, thins out over time. Since it’s usually gradual and may go undetected for some time before any noticeable problems arise; for example difficulty driving or reading. There are two forms of macular degeneration: dry macular degeneration occurs when macula thins and wet macular degeneration occurs when new blood vessels grow beneath retina and leak fluid into macula.

Most cases of macular degeneration are dry in nature. It doesn’t progress as rapidly, making vitamin supplements with high doses of antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and zinc potentially effective in slowing its progress by up to 25% according to one of the largest clinical trials called Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS) performed by researchers – further refined through their follow up study “AREDS 2.”

Recent studies comparing AREDS with placebo found that its new formulation of supplements was even more effective at stopping progression of macular degeneration than its older version, which contained beta-carotene; which can increase lung cancer risks among smokers; to its predecessor AREDS study with only DHA and EPA as anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids are thought to reduce inflammation associated with macular degeneration; more anti-oxidant DHA/EPA is believed to help as well as more antioxidant lutein/zeaxanthin as its earlier predecessor included beta-carotene which increased risks; so these newer supplements only contain these two nutrients; earlier trials included beta-carotene but this can increase risks while it increases risks from lung cancer; this change means the newer formulation only contains DHA/EPA omega 3s as anti-inflammatory omega 3s while earlier ones contained beta-carotene which can increase risks, so these supplements consist of only these two benefits; this change also increases efficacy of macular degeneration prevention as it contains these benefits of macular degeneration; however previous trials included beta-carotene which could increase risks by up to 66%; the new ones contain only these two nutrients to prevent further risk from lung cancer in smokers; so only these new supplements contain these two nutrients due to increase lung cancer risk only and not beta-carotene which were included AREDS contained beta-carotene which increased your lung cancer risk more; therefore only these nutrients only.

Fluorescein Angiogram Test

Fluorescein angiogram tests are medical imaging techniques used by ophthalmologists to examine blood flow in the retina at the back of your eye. A yellow dye with fluorescent properties is injected into a vein in your arm and travels through all your body’s blood vessels including those in the retina, as timed pictures allow your ophthalmologist to track its journey through. The dye can highlight leaky vessels or abnormalities that might indicate wet macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, or other retinal diseases.

This test can be combined with the Amsler Grid test, used to monitor progress as you undergo treatment for wet macular degeneration. This chart looks similar to graph paper with dark lines forming a square grid; if you have wet macular degeneration, its straight lines may bend or curve when closed eyes; this bending or curving indicates a potential sign that you may be developing wet macular degeneration and should be discussed with an ophthalmologist for possible monitoring over time.

If you have been diagnosed with wet macular degeneration, your ophthalmologist will likely suggest tests that can detect swelling of the macula such as optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT utilizes special light and camera setups to take cross-sectional photos of retina without injecting or dyeing any dye into them; an OCT image allows your doctor to assess thickness as well as look for fluid accumulation or any abnormalities or issues with vision.

Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICG), similar to Fluorescein Angiography but with different dye, allows your ophthalmologist to better image deeper layers of retina. Both ICG and Fluorescein Angiography are noninvasive procedures which are painless. Both procedures can be repeated at any time to track progress.

Eye Injections

Eye injections may seem daunting, but in most cases the process is painless and safe. A retinal ophthalmologist will use eyedrops to stop abnormal blood vessel growth that causes wet macular degeneration – as well as improve vision in some patients. There are various medications available and your retinal ophthalmologist will take into account your medical history when selecting one to prescribe; anti-anxiety drugs, cognitive behavioral therapy, or relaxation techniques may all help ease anxiety associated with injections.

When the wet form of macular degeneration sets in, patients may notice various symptoms that include straight lines appearing wavy and sudden loss of central vision, followed by blind spots appearing in the center of their field of vision. Left untreated, this leakage of new blood vessels beneath the retina may lead to scarring and permanent loss of central vision.

Some patients suffering from wet macular degeneration may benefit from photodynamic therapy. This treatment involves injecting an light sensitive drug directly into their arm vein, traveling through their bloodstream, and eventually reaching their retina where it binds with low-density lipoprotein (LDL), found in blood vessels below it. Once it arrives at its destination, laser light therapy can then be used to target and destroy these leaking blood vessels and thus slow or even reverse vision loss in affected areas of macula.

Priyatham S. Mettu, MD of Duke University retina specialist Priyatham S. Mettu addressed his treatment strategy for wet macular degeneration involving eye injections containing complement inhibitors to block interaction between complement system and fluid leakage from abnormal blood vessels leaking fluid; first to receive FDA approval is pegcetacoplan (Syfovre).

Clinical trials conducted with patients receiving monthly or bimonthly injections of this drug showed significant lesion growth reduction of about 20% in retinal macula lesions, helping preserve vision in those suffering wet macular degeneration. Other similar drugs are currently in development.

Low Vision Aids

While we still await an effective macular degeneration dry treatment, researchers have identified ways to slow its progress by encouraging embryonic stem cells to differentiate into healthy retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. By inducing RPE cells to function more optimally and reduce toxic buildup that leads to geographic atrophy, researchers hope they can reduce toxic accumulation that causes geographic atrophy. Another therapeutic strategy now in clinical trials involves encouraging RPE cells to release chemicals that promote blood vessel formation for improved macular circulation.

Individuals living with low vision often find it challenging, or impossible, to perform daily activities such as driving and reading. Unfortunately, patients are often told there’s nothing they can do to regain their quality of life and independence.

Low Vision refers to visual impairments that cannot be corrected through surgery, medication or traditional eye correction methods such as standard glasses or contact lenses. Low Vision may be caused by eye injuries, macular degeneration or age-related vision loss as well as genetic disorders like albinism.

People living with Low Vision may benefit from using special devices designed to optimize the use of what vision remains. These range from simple magnifiers to complex optical and electronic systems; experts in low vision can assist in choosing one which best meets one’s individual needs, functioning goals and degree of vision loss.

Retinal detachment poses a grave threat to vision loss and is one of the primary causes of Low Vision. This condition occurs when light-sensitive tissue that makes up the retina becomes detached from its proper place, cutting off photoreceptors from receiving adequate nourishment – leaving photoreceptors vulnerable and at risk of irreparable vision loss if left unaddressed immediately. If left unaddressed it could result in irreversible vision loss that cannot be reversed.

Studies indicate that eating foods high in antioxidants such as Lutein and Zeaxanthin may lower your risk of macular degeneration. These nutrients are found mostly in fruits and vegetables such as spinach, collard greens, kale, Swiss chard, sweet potatoes carrots blueberries and oranges – although further research needs to be completed in order to validate these studies’ conclusions.