Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD is the number 1 cause of blindness in developed countries. It begins as the “dry” form of AMD, with some eyes progressing to “wet” AMD. Common symptoms of AMD include blurry vision affecting the distance and/or near (reading).
Vision loss from “dry” AMD is due to thinning (atrophy) of the macula. Whereas vision loss from “wet” AMD is due to abnormal leaking blood vessel at the macula.
Early detection of AMD is crucial for management and prognosis of AMD. A healthy lifestyle and diet are often helpful in the early stages of “dry” AMD. Macular supplements can be considered to reduce the risk of conversion to “wet” AMD.
Treatment for “wet” AMD is currently in the form of regular eye injections (intravitreal therapy). The mainstay of medications is a group of medications called anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF). Regular and consistent intravitreal injections are essential to maintain vision in patients with “wet” AMD. Once the disease has stabilised, the interval between injections is extended. Every eye is unique and therefore the intervals between injections vary between different eyes and patients.
