Macular Degeneration Treatment

Macular degeneration is an age-related condition in which damage to the retina results in progressive vision loss. Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness in this country, affecting nearly two million adults.

There are two forms of macular degeneration, wet and dry, and researchers are unsure about what exactly causes the disease, although it may be exacerbated by smoking, high blood pressure, obesity and farsightedness. Because there is no cure, macular degeneration treatment focuses on delaying the progression of the disease and improving vision before it is completely lost.

Vitamins have been suggested as methods of macular degeneration treatment. Studies have shown that the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E may protect the macula - the spot in the center of the retina - from scarring. Supplements of these vitamins may serve as treatment for the progression of dry macular degeneration.

The less common type of macular degeneration, wet macular degeneration, can be treated with a laser therapy called laser photocoagulation, which destroys leaking blood vessels and stops the damage from progressing. Another recent development in macular degeneration treatment is photodynamic therapy, which works in conjunction with a drug injected into the patient's arm. While these treatments have been successful in preventing the advancement of vision loss in macular degeneration patients, they must be performed before irreversible damage occurs.

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Macular Degeneration Topics

Macular degeneration, treatment, studies, symptoms, vitamins, prevention