This month a patient asked: “How Do I Know if I Have a Greater Risk of Developing Macular Degeneration?”
Dr. Patel answered:
To answer this questions, let’s first address what macular degeneration is. Macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults which is why it is often called Age-Related Macular Degeneration or AMD. It gradually destroys the macula, the part of the eye that provides sharp, central vision needed for seeing objects clearly.
In some people, AMD advances so slowly that vision loss does not occur for a long time. In others, the disorder progresses faster and may lead to a loss of vision in one or both eyes.
This condition is more likely to affect people aged 50 and older. However, other factors can affect the progression of vision loss. Smokers are two times more likely to develop AMD. Also, caucasians have an increase risk as well as people who have had AMD in their family history.
If diagnosed, there are several treatment options that can be used to slow the progression of AMD. These include:
Injections
AMD causes abnormally high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to be secreted in your eyes causing blood vessels to leak fluid. The anti-VEGF injection therapy blocks the growth of new abnormal blood vessels. This is the mainstay of treatment and may require multiple injections.
Photodynamic Therapy
This technique involves laser treatment of select areas of the retina. First, a drug called verteporfin will be injected into a vein in your arm. The drug travels through the blood vessels in your body, including any new, abnormal blood vessels in your eye. A laser beam is shined into your eye to activate the drug in the blood vessels. Once activated, the drug destroys the new blood vessels and slows the rate of vision loss. This procedure takes about 20 minutes.
Laser Surgery
Laser surgery involves aiming an intense beam of light at the new blood vessels in your eyes to destroy them. However, laser treatment also may destroy some surrounding healthy tissue and cause more blurred vision.
