Print this page
 Email this page

 Connect with UMMC on:
 Twitter
 Facebook
 YouTube
iPhone

 Share this page:

Bookmark and Share

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

 

Video details

[ Flash player icon ] Please install flash player to see this video.

Hospital Virtual Tour

Click to take a virtual tour

Related Content


 

Macular degeneration - Treatment

Alternative Names

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), AMD, Senile macular degeneration (SMD)

Treatment:

No treatment exists for dry macular degeneration. However, a combination of antioxidants and zinc may slow the progression of the disease. Smokers should not use this treatment.

The recommended supplements contain:

  • 500 milligrams of vitamin C
  • 400 International Units of beta-carotene
  • 80 milligrams of zinc
  • 2 milligrams of copper

Although there is no cure for wet AMD, treatments may include:

  • Laser surgery (laser photocoagulation) -- a small beam of light destroys the abnormal blood vessels.
  • Photodynamic therapy -- a light activates a drug that is injected into your body to destroy leaking blood vessels.
  • Special medications that slow the formation of new blood vessels in the eye (anti-angiogenesis (anti-VEGF) therapy) -- drugs such as bevacizumab (Avastin) and ranibizumab (Lucentis) are injected into the eye to stabilize or improve vision.

Low-vision aids (such as special lenses) and therapy can help improve your vision and quality of life.

Support Groups:

AMD Alliance International -- (877) AMD-7171 -- www.amdalliance.org.

Expectations (prognosis):

Most people with mild dry macular degeneration will not have disabling central vision loss. However, there is no way to predict who will progress to a more severe form of the disease.

The wet form of macular degeneration often leads to significant vision loss.

This disorder results in the loss of central vision only -- macular degeneration cannot cause peripheral vision loss.

Complications:

Loss of central vision may interfere with many daily activities, such as reading, working on the computer, or driving. You may need extra light or magnification to perform many of your normal activities.

Calling your health care provider:

If you have AMD, your health care provider may recommend that you check your vision every day on an Amsler grid. Call your provider if the lines appear wavy, or you notice any other changes in your vision.

  • Reviewed last on: 8/4/2008
  • Manju Subramanian, MD, Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery, Boston University Eye Associates, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Gohel PS, Mandava N, Olson JL, Durairaj VD. Age-related macular degeneration: an update on treatment.Am J Med. 2008 Apr;121(4):279-81.

Martidis A, Tennant MTS. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, Augsburger JJ, et al, eds. Ophthalmology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2004:chap 125.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com