Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is an eye disorder that slowly destroys sharp, central vision, making it difficult to read and see fine details.

The disease is more common in people over 60, which is why it is often called age-related macular degeneration (AMD or AMD).

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is caused by damage to the blood vessels that supply the macula. This change in the blood vessels also damages the macula.

There are two types of age-related macular degeneration:

Dry AMD occurs when the blood vessels under the macula become thin and fragile. Small yellow deposits, called drusen, form. Almost all people with macular degeneration start out with the dry form.

Wet AMD occurs in only about 10% of people with macular degeneration. New abnormal and very fragile vessels grow under the macula. This is called choroidal neovascularization. These vessels leak blood and fluid. This form causes most of the vision loss associated with the disease.

TREATMENT:

Laser surgery (laser photocoagulation)

A small beam of light destroys the abnormal and leaky blood vessels.

Specialty drugs

They prevent the formation of new blood vessels in the eye (antiangienic or anti-VEGF therapy): Drugs such as bevacizumab (Avastin), Aflibercept (Wetlia) and ranibizumab (Lucentis) are injected into the eye. This is a painless process.