Macular Degeneration Treatments
There is no cure for dry age-related macular degeneration. However, the following websites present options for dry AMD patients:
- Results from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) study showed that high levels of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its associated vision loss.
- The vitamin formula used in the AREDS study is marketed by Bausch & Lomb.
- Occulogix uses blood filtration for its RHEO procedure, which is commercially available in Canada to treat dry AMD.
Wet Macular Degeneration: Drugs, Lasers and Other New Treatments
There is no cure for wet macular degeneration. However, the following websites explain how some treatments may delay the progression of macular degeneration, lessen its severity, or even potentially improve vision:
- Visudyne was the first drug treatment approved for macular degeneration.
- Macugen is a treatment for AMD approved by the FDA in December 2004.
- Avastin from Genentech is a drug with potential for use against AMD.
- Retaane from Alcon Laboratories is not yet approved but has the advantage of not being administered with a needle, and treatments are spaced about six months apart.
- Genaera Corp. is investigating a drug called squalamine lactate, which is in a second phase of clinical trials.
- Theragenics Corporation is working on a device called the TheraSight Ocular Brachytherapy System that uses low energy x-rays for treating AMD.
- Iridex has an experimental therapy using an infrared laser combined with drug treatment, called Transpupillary Thermotherapy (TTT).
Additionally, All About Vision offers age-related macular degeneration news, including the latest treatment options. However, your best defense against macular degeneration is early detection, perhaps even before symptoms are noticed. Read more about prevention.
Need More AMD Information?
For in-depth information on macular degeneration, please visit the Consumer Guide to Macular Degeneration.