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Diseases & Conditions > Age Related Macular Degeneration
Wet
The wet form of age-related macular degeneration occurs in approximately 15% of patients who have age-related macular degeneration.
There are several forms of treatments available for patients with the wet form of age-related macular degeneration. These include traditional laser treatment, photodynamic therapy, submacular surgery, and frequent intraocular injections of new drugs such as Lucentis (Ranivizumab), Avastin (Bevacizumab), and Macugen (Pegaptanib Sodium). Abnormally high levels of a specific growth factor occur in eyes with wet age-related macular degeneration and promote the growth of abnormal new blood vessels. These drug treatments block the effects of the growth factor.
At the present time, a comparison of age-related macular degeneration treatments with Lucentis and Avastin (two of the most promising drugs) has just begun. This trial, which will be recruiting patients in 2007 and should have the first results in 2009. It is a 4-year study funded by the National Institute of Health and the National Eye Institute.
These treatments are used to treat the abnormal blood vessels that occur in the wet form of age-related macular degeneration. However, the type of treatment recommended by physician depends on the location, size, and severity of the abnormal blood vessels.
Treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration is a rapidly changing area, and new information is being gained on a yearly basis as reports of combination therapy or single-treatment therapy with these medications are reported. A new drug called Bevasiranib is being used in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. It is administered by intravitreal injection. This study is called the RACE study and is in Phase II. The advantage of this new drug is that it may provide patients with a potentially longer duration of effect and require less frequency of injections. Other new medications will undoubtedly become available in the future. We will keep you updated on those as they are reported.
 Wet ARMD
Right eye has a subretinal neovascular membrane secondary to ARMD. Untreated.
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 Normal Eye
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Dry
Drusen are considered to be a dry form of macular degeneration. When drusen are present for a long time, the center of vision, called the macula, may thin and stop working. this is referred to as atrophy or atrophic macular degeneration, and it often causes slow and progressive loss of vision.
Although there is no medical or surgical treatment of this form of macular degeneration, eyesight may be helped somewhat by the use of special low vision lenses: magnifying lenses for close-up vision and telescopic lenses for distance vision. With counseling, people can learn to use some of their peripheral vision to help them see more clearly and help with the daily tasks of everyday life. It is important to keep scheduled appointments with your retinal physician even if you have the dry form of macular degeneration because it can turn into the wet form over time in some cases.
Although the dry form of macular degeneration with atrophy can cause a large loss of detail vision, the damage done by dry macular degeneration is generally not as severe as the damage done by the wet form. The dry form occurs in about 85-95% of people with advance macular degeneration.
There is research to support the use of Nutritional Supplements to help slow the progression of macular degeneration.
It is important to check your vision every day, one eye at a time, to discover any vision changes you may experience. You can use an Amsler Grid to check your vision. If you see a change in your vision, call your retinal physician to schedule and appointment promptly.
 Dry ARMD
Right eye with drusen.
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 Dry ARMD
Left eye with drusen.
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Normal Eye
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Nutrition
AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) has found that the use of specific dietary
supplements prevent the onset or slow the progession of age-related macular
degeneration by 25% in both wet and dry forms. They suggest the following
supplements be taken every day.
AREDS Formula
- Vitamin C (500 mg per day)
- Vitamin E (400 international units per day)
- Beta-Carotene (15 mg per day)
- Zinc as Zinc Oxide (80 mg per day)
- Copper, as Cupric Oxide (2 mg per day)
AREDS II
This is a study of the use of antioxidents and their effects on age-related
macular degeneration. The antioxidents in question are Lutein and
Zeaxanthin, and we will share the results of this study as they become
available.
CATT Trial
After a one year delay the CATT Trial will begin recruiting patients in January 2008. It will have two primary purposes:
- Compare the safety and efficiency of Lucentis and Avastin
- Determine whether or not as�needed dosing can produce a visual result that is as robust as what has previously been demonstrated with fixed dosing
The study chairman is David F. Martin, M. D., at Emory University.
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