| There are new treatments for macular | | | | This form of laser treatment eventually leads to a |
| degeneration that are proving to be quite | | | | clot forming in the blood vessels which causes |
| effective in treating this debilitating disease. Many | | | | them to shrink and seal up. |
| older people have the disease and are looking for | | | | Some doctors believe that a regimen of vitamin |
| ways to keep it under control. In its early stages, | | | | therapy will help slow the progress of the disease. |
| the disease is less noticeable and often times a | | | | Certain vitamins keep the retina healthy and less |
| person doesn't even know it's there. However, | | | | likely to be exposed to high oxygen levels which |
| the more severe advanced Age Related Macular | | | | can lead to ARMD. Certain anti-oxidants assist the |
| Degeneration (wet ARMD) generally comes on | | | | retina in maintaining its integrity. Eye specialists |
| quite suddenly and causes severe vision problems. | | | | also recommend taking high dosages of vitamins |
| Once wet ARMD is diagnosed, treatment should | | | | such as C, E, zinc and copper to keep the eye |
| begin immediately. Sometimes laser | | | | healthy. |
| photocoagulation treatment is used. This method | | | | Even certain drugs are being used today to treat |
| of treatment uses a hot laser to seal off blood | | | | ARMD. Macugen blocks any abnormal signals in the |
| vessels growing under the eye. Fluorescein | | | | eye (called VEGF) from producing abnormal blood |
| angiography is used to identify which blood | | | | vessel growth. It is injected directly into the eye |
| vessels are abnormal and need to be sealed. | | | | about every six weeks and for as long as two |
| People with certain retina abnormalities like poorly | | | | years. A few patients do regain a little of their |
| defined or enlarged blood vessels do not do well | | | | lost vision but the drug hasn't proven to be |
| with this type of treatment. | | | | effective for most AMRD sufferers. |
| Another way to treat advanced ARMD is to use | | | | New treatments for macular degeneration are |
| a cold laser treatment called photodynamic | | | | always a possibility. Today's highly technological |
| therapy. With this treatment option, the patient is | | | | environment makes it almost certain that the |
| injected with a special dye that travels to | | | | disease will be less of a problem for future |
| abnormal blood vessels behind the eye. Once | | | | generations. |
| there, a low intensity laser light activates the dye. | | | | |