Nearly 90% of severe vision loss is the result of dry macular degeneration, in which yellow deposits known as drusen accumulate under the retina. Less than 10% of cases involve more serious “wet” forms where new blood vessels grow and release fluid or blood into the macula.

1. Vitamins

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive condition that gradually blurs central vision. The macula, or fine detail-detecting area of our retinas, allows us to drive cars, read, use computers or smartphones, thread a needle and recognize faces and colors. Early stage macular degeneration involves deposits known as drusen forming beneath our retinas; these deposits may or may not cause vision loss but if left to grow large enough they could lead to wet macular degeneration with abnormal blood vessels forming that leak fluid into central vision; accounting for roughly 10% of cases of advanced macular degeneration cases.

Nutritional supplements have been demonstrated to assist those living with AMD in maintaining vision. A recent AREDS study demonstrated that taking high doses of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and zinc reduced risk for advanced macular degeneration by 28%. Furthermore, several strategies are currently under study that could improve central vision – an implantable telescope is one such approach which magnifies images onto retina and makes them easier for users to perceive.

Faricimab-svoa has recently been approved for treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration, macular edema after retinal vein occlusion and diabetic macular edema. As an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor it works by blocking VEGF production within the eye while simultaneously decreasing retinal blood flow. According to one new study results suggest that some wet macular degeneration patients can safely stop or reduce monthly injections of VEGF blockers.

Researchers remain uncertain as to whether these patients can be reliably predicted or what the optimal dosage for medications could be; however, the new findings add further proof that some with wet macular degeneration could stop or significantly reduce monthly treatments without experiencing significant vision loss – something many who currently receive injections for neovascular AMD may eventually benefit from doing as well.

2. Anti-angiogenic drugs

Treatments that restrict abnormal blood vessel growth and stop leakage from blood vessels is the ideal macular degeneration therapy, also known as anti-angiogenic drugs, administered intravitreally to protect eyes against wet age-related macular degeneration.

Wet macular degeneration may be less frequent, yet can lead to much faster vision loss than its dry counterpart. It occurs when blood vessels in the macula grow and leak, causing central vision loss quickly. Diagnosing wet form macular degeneration requires special tests such as optical coherence tomography angiography or OCT angiography and fundus fluorescein angiography – these allow us to detect leaky new blood vessels while tracking how they’re affecting retinal health.

There are various medications that have been demonstrated as being effective at treating wet macular degeneration, including ranibizumab (Macugen) and pegaptanib (Avastin). Both these injections must be given every four weeks to prevent abnormal blood vessels from forming which lead to vision loss; their use has proven both slowing progression of vision loss as well as improving vision in some instances.

These drugs inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an essential factor in the formation of new blood vessels that contribute to vision loss in wet age-related macular degeneration. Their injections have proven both safe and effective: in one large clinical study involving over 1,800 participants receiving ranibizumab injections lost no more than three lines annually compared with 23% who did not.

Recent clinical trial results of faricimab-svoa (Vabysmo), a new medication developed specifically to combat wet macular degeneration, suggest it could reduce vision loss risk by lowering VEGF levels, with possibly fewer injections and treatment sessions required than other treatments. Researchers plan further research studies to confirm these early results; one new study indicates many individuals may be able to safely stop injection therapy without further vision loss, however no timeline for when people may safely discontinue injection therapy was provided by researchers.

3. Laser therapy

Laser photocoagulation is a quick and outpatient procedure where an eye doctor uses laser light to seal off abnormal blood vessels that could leak and lead to wet macular degeneration. Though this won’t restore what vision has already been lost, it can delay further vision loss by slowing the progression of wet macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration occurs when retinal cells sensitive to light in your macula become impaired with age and are no longer capable of fulfilling their function, leading to a progressive eye disease known as macular degeneration. This disease causes blurriness or darkness in the central part of your vision and typically doesn’t impact peripheral vision but can become a leading cause of blindness among adults over 50 living in Western countries like the US and elsewhere.

Macular degeneration treatments vary, from vitamins to anti-angiogenic drugs and laser therapy. Speak to an eye care provider about which one would best fit you.

Wet macular degeneration occurs when new, abnormal blood vessels form beneath your retina in the back of your eye and leak fluid or bleed, damaging the macula and potentially leading to blind spots. This form of macular degeneration usually progresses faster than its dry counterpart and is responsible for most severe vision loss among people over 50.

Conduct regular dilated eye exams to detect problems with your vision, such as macular degeneration. A visit to your eye doctor could result in various tests and treatments, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), to help manage macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration may not have a cure, but there are still steps you can take to improve your quality of life and maintain independence, such as using adaptive devices or visiting low-vision centers. Your eye care professional may prescribe medications and suggest lifestyle changes to lower the risk of advanced macular degeneration; for instance limiting sun exposure, taking antioxidant vitamins, eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking or taking steps to manage blood pressure are among these measures.

4. Surgery

Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina at the back of the eye and leak fluid or blood, blurring central vision and leading to severe loss of vision. It accounts for 10% of total cases and leads to much faster vision loss than dry forms; genetic mutations as well as certain risk factors (smoking, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure) may contribute to its development.

These newly developed drugs that inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have revolutionized treatment of wet macular degeneration by stopping abnormal blood vessel formation and decreasing bleeding beneath the retina. Examples include Avastin, Lucentis and Eylea that are administered via injection into the eye – they have proven themselves invaluable treatments in slowing progression and protecting vision – saving sight for thousands who would have otherwise become legal blind without them.

Photodynamic Therapy or PDT, is an emerging laser treatment for wet macular degeneration. PDT employs laser light to seal off abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid and damage the macula, sparing more sight than medication alone can. However, PDT should not be seen as a cure and cannot restore lost central vision.

Investigations are underway to investigate strategies that might stop or even halt macular degeneration from progressing further. One promising approach may involve using combination therapies and medications such as antioxidant vitamins and zinc; other research aims at stimulating retinas to produce their own natural macular pigment.

Macular degeneration reduces your central vision but usually does not impact side, or peripheral, vision. Therefore, you can still live independently as long as your peripheral vision allows you to use faces and objects around you for navigation and recognition. Your ophthalmologist may offer low vision devices and rehabilitation programs to help adapt to reduced vision as well as regular dilated eye exams to detect problems or early signs of macular degeneration.