Treatment for Wet AMD

The treatment for wet AMD includes:

The treatment for wet AMD includes:

• Laser surgery
• Photodynamic therapy
• Injections into the eye

It is important to realize that none of the above treatments is a cure for wet AMD.  Loss of vision and the disease may continue to progress despite treatment.

Laser surgery

This surgery uses a laser to destroy fragile, leaky blood vessels by using high energy beams of light aimed directly onto the new blood vessels to destroy them.  This procedure is performed in the hopes of preventing further loss of vision.

Who are good candidates for the laser surgery?

• Only a small percentage of people with wet AMD can be treated with this procedure.  Laser treatment may also destroy some surrounding healthy tissue and some vision.

When is laser surgery most effective?

• If the leaky blood vessels have developed away from the fovea, the central part of the macula

Where is this surgery performed?

• Usually in a doctor’s office or eye clinic

What are the risks of laser surgery?

• The possibility of destroying surrounding healthy tissue and some vision
• Risk of new blood vessels developing after laser treatment is high making repeated treatments necessary.
• Vision loss may progress despite repeated treatments

Photodynamic therapy

Verteporin is injected into the arm and travels throughout the body, including new blood vessels in the eyes.  The drug tends to stick to the surface of new blood vessels.  A light is then shined into the eye for about 90 seconds to activate the drug.  The activated drug destroys new blood vessels to hopefully lead to a slower rate of vision decline.  The positive side to this treatment is that it does not destroy surrounding healthy tissue.  Since the drug is activated by light, you must avoid exposing your skin or eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for five days after treatment.

Does the patient experience any kind of pain during the procedure?

• Photodynamic therapy is relatively painless

How long does the procedure take?

• About 20 minutes

Where is photodynamic therapy performed?

• A doctor’s office

What is the expected result of photodynamic therapy?

• Slows the rate of vision loss
• Does not stop vision loss or restore vision in eyes already damaged by advanced AMD
• Treatment results are often temporary
• Treatment may need to be repeated.

Injections

It is now possible to treat wet AMD with new drugs that are injected into the eye.  This is called anti-VEGF therapy.

What is the expected outcome of anti-VEGF therapy?

• Abnormally high levels of a specific growth factor occur in eyes with wet AMD
• Anti-VEGF therapy blocks the effects of the growth factor
• Slows down vision loss from AMD and in some cases improves sight

How often is treatment necessary?

• Multiple injections monthly

What occurs during the treatment?

• After the injection, you will remain in the doctor’s office for a while, your eye will be monitored

Source:  National Eye Institute

Disclaimer:  These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professional

Author:  Connie Limon.  Visit http://smalldogs2.com/NutritionHealthHub  and sign up for a weekly nutrition and health tip.  The article collection is available as FREE reprints for your newsletters, websites or blog.  For a variety of FREE reprint articles on various topics rarely seen elsewhere visit http://www.camelotarticles.com

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