Types and treatments of macular degeneration

The majority of macular degeneration cases occur in older people, so that the terms of macular degeneration and age-related macular degeneration are usually used interchangeably. In fact, macular degeneration can also be caused by certain drugs, including Aralen, Mellaril, Prolixin, Trilafon and Stelazine. But all forms of macular degeneration involve gradual or sudden central vision loss. Early symptoms of AMD can be waved straight lines, fuzzy vision and shadowy areas in the central vision.

It is acknowledged by most eye doctors that AMD is affecting an increasing population. Some groups have more risk of developing macular degeneration, such as old people above 65, white and those with a AMD family history.

Ultraviolet and blue light are suspected to increase the risk of AMD so that many doctors recommend sunglasses. A healthy diet including antioxidants, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin and essential fatty acids is helpful in preventing macular degeneration.

In general, there are two types of macular degeneration: dry AMD and wet AMD. Dry AMD is always associated with thinning and aging macular tissues or pigment deposition in the macula. Wet form of macular degeneration is more serious, which is usually caused by new blood vessel growth beneath the retina and blood leakage. Currently, all available treatments of AMD can only slow its progression and early detection is essential.

Those treatments include both medical and surgical means. By stopping abnormal blood vessel growth in the inner eye, the drug named Lucentis is effective in preventing the progression of wet form AMD and sometimes improving overall vision. Combined with the laser treatment called photodynamic therapy, Visudyne is also a drug for wet AMD. Photocoagulation is a laser surgery that can slow down vision loss.