Macular Degeneration Therapies and Surgery

Intraocular anti-VEGF injection therapies have revolutionized the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. Wet macular degeneration is the result of the formation of new, fragile and leaky blood vessels growing under the retina, damaging the rod and cone cells. The anti-VEGF drugs, which are injected into the eye with a fine needle, inhibit the growth of these leaky blood vessels and improve vision for patients with wet age-related macular degeneration.

Laser photocoagulation is the standard therapy for patients with the wet form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The procedure uses a highly focused beam of light to seal the leaking blood vessels that damage the macula. Laser photocoagulation is most effective in the early stages of wet AMD. It cannot regain lost vision but it can slow the rate of vision loss from this fast moving form of AMD.

Clinical researchers are investigating a range of therapeutic options to treat the wet form of AMD. There is little intervention other than vision rehabilitation, solar protection and multivitamin therapy to offer people who slowly lose vision from the dry form of AMD.