Treatment for Macular Degeneration

There are several treatment options available for macular degeneration, though as yet there is no cure for the disease. Macular degeneration medication and surgery have both been proven to slow progression of the disease; however, some advanced cases are untreatable with the techniques available today.

Wet Macular Degeneration Treatment

Although there is no known cure for macular degeneration, there is a treatment avaliable for the wet form of the disease. Dry macular degeneration is still largely untreatable, though changes in diet (including the addition of antioxidant and nutrient supplements) can help slow the progression. If diagnosed early, wet macular degeneration can be treated with laser eye surgery or photodynamic therapy (PDT). This treatment can stop further formation of blood vessels, but it cannot reverse damage that has already been done. Recovery from these procedures is generally relatively fast, and the pain is minimal.

Macular Degeneration Surgery

Thermal laser photocoagulation surgery is the only proven surgical treatment option available for individuals with wet macular degeneration, and less than 20 percent of individuals with this type of macular degeneration are good candidates. By treating the abnormal blood vessels that have formed on the retina, laser surgery can delay advancement of the disease. Without laser photocoagulation surgery, the blood vessels will continue to grow and leak, further reducing vision. Research and surgical trials for other macular degeneration surgery options, including submacular surgery and macular translocation surgery, are currently underway. Experts are still weighing the overall benefits and risks of these experimental surgeries, and the candidacy for each is very limited as well.

There is currently no surgical treatment available to help those with dry macular degeneration.

Macular Degeneration Medication

A class of drugs called anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medications is often prescribed to slow or inhibit the formation of abnormal blood vessels in individuals with wet macular degeneration. These medications seek to inhibit the growth of new blood vessels in those suffering from the disease. Though currently there is no drug that can relieve the symptoms — and surgical procedures have not yet reached the point where they can reverse the disease — those suffering from macular degeneration may have hope that medication combined with surgery or laser treatment will provide substantial results in the future.

Locate a Specialist for Macular Degeneration Treatment

If you would like to explore available treatment options for macular degeneration, such as surgery or medication, it is important to find a physician you can trust. Locate an experienced macular degeneration specialist in your area through DocShop today.