AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

There is no cure for Dry AMD. If your condition is diagnosed early, you can take steps to help slow its progression, such as not smoking, eating healthily and taking vitamin supplements:

A large study performed by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health, called Age-Related Eye Disease Study (Maryland, USA) showed that for certain individuals, vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, zinc and copper can decrease the risk of vision loss in patients with intermediate to advanced dry age-related macular degeneration.

As for Wet AMD, there are treatments to prevent severe vision loss or slow the progression of the disease considerably:

1 Laser Therapy

High-energy laser light can sometimes be used to destroy actively growing abnormal blood vessels that occur in age-related macular degeneration.

2 Photodynamic Laser Therapy

A 2-step treatment in which a light-sensitive drug is used – a medication is injected into the bloodstream to be absorbed by the abnormal blood vessels in the eye. The doctor then shines a cold laser into the eye to activate the drug, causing it to create blood clots that block the abnormal blood vessels.

3 Anti-VEGF Drugs

These medications — injected into the eye — block the development of new blood vessels and leakage from the abnormal vessels within the eye that cause wet macular degeneration. This treatment which may need follow-up visits, has shown encouraging results.

As most patients experience no symptoms or pain during the early stages, regular preventive check-ups and early diagnosis is important. Book an appointment for a comprehensive eye examination to determine if you have age-related macular degeneration.

As for prevention, AMD occurs less often in people who exercise, avoid smoking and eat nutritious foods including green leafy vegetables and fish. If you already have AMD, adopting some of these habits may help you keep your vision longer.