Age Related Macular Degeneration
Age related Macular Degeneration, commonly referred to as AMD, is a breakdown of the most sensitive part of the retina called the macula. The macula is responsible for your central vision and allows you to see fine details.
Macular Degeneration is most common in those 55 or older, but other factors may increase your risk. Those with a family history of the disease, Caucasians, and smokers all have a greater risk of developing AMD.
Common symptoms of macular degeneration include blurred vision and distorted central vision. Sometimes permanent loss of central vision occurs while peripheral vision, or side vision, is unaffected. For example, a person experiencing macular degeneration might be able to see the outline of a TV but not what is playing on the screen.
If you are at risk for the disease, Dr. Khetpal will examine your medical history and may conduct vision and imaging tests. Dry AMD is typically monitored, while the wet form often involves eye injections.
While AMD has no cure, catching it early can help you take steps to slow its progression.
LATEST MACULAR DEGENERATION RESEARCH
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in adults over 55. Since it is so common researchers are constantly hunting for new and better ways to improve the lives of those at risk or living with the disease) . Traditional treatment for the wet form of macular degeneration involves periodic injections of anti-VEGF drugs into the eye, but the latest clinical trials aim to stop the disease earlier in its progression and use less invasive treatments in the later stages.
Here are 5 of the most exciting developments:
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in adults over 55. Since it is so common researchers are constantly hunting for new and better ways to improve the lives of those at risk or living with the disease) . Traditional treatment for the wet form of macular degeneration involves periodic injections of anti-VEGF drugs into the eye, but the latest clinical trials aim to stop the disease earlier in its progression and use less invasive treatments in the later stages.
Eye Injection in a Whole New Way
For most individuals with macular degeneration the preferred treatment is eye injections. Eye injection requires the patients to come back monthly to re administer the injections into the eye. Research are trying to develop an implant that can be surgically inserted in to the eye in which a time release medication can be release. This method is still in research trials but could be a future standard of care .
Antioxidants for Early AMD
It has been shown that in early dry macular degeneration, antioxidants may help prevent vision loss. The best performing combination of antioxidants was a combination called AREDS2, though you should talk your doctor individually about the possibility of antioxidants helping with your AMD.
Immune System Approaches
The immune system is the body’s defense against outside invaders and has been linked to macular degeneration. It is thought that the immune system may damage the retina in its natural response to the symptoms of macular degeneration. Several approaches to combat macular degeneration via the immune system have shown success in clinical trials.
Eye Drops
Macular degeneration is currently treated by anti-VEGF drug injections into the eye every 6-12 months. These injections allow patients to keep their vision, but must be continually given. Research has found promising results using eye drops instead of injections, so that patients may soon have the convenience of administering their AMD treatment at home.
Gene Therapy
An ultimate goal of AMD treatment would be to alter the DNA of the cells in the eye and stop AMD vision loss at the source. In March 2018, researchers successfully used gene therapy to treat a juvenile form of macular degeneration in dogs, and human clinical trials could begin as soon as several years from now.
Given all of the scientific progress on macular degeneration, and greater attention to coping strategies for living with the disease, the outlook for patients with macular degeneration has never been brighter.
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