| While there is no proven treatment for macular | | | | spot' which obstructs the central vision. In other |
| degeneration, especially when it is in the dry form, | | | | words, laser technology is used in these |
| laser photocoagulation therapy has been seen to | | | | treatments to kill the atypical blood vessels. One |
| be effective in some cases of wet macular | | | | of the latest treatment methods for wet macular |
| degeneration. This form of therapy involves | | | | degeneration was approved by FDA in 2004. It |
| closing of the leaky blood vessels. While this can | | | | involves using pegaptanib, which is essentially a |
| act as a good preventive measure for any | | | | growth inhibitor which not only impedes the |
| further loss of vision, it can not rehabilitate vision | | | | growth of new and abnormal blood vessels, it also |
| that is lost. A therapy that causes less damage | | | | arrests any bloody leakage. This form of |
| than photocoagulation therapy is the | | | | treatment has showed marked improvement in |
| photodynamic therapy, which has been in use for | | | | prevention of loss of vision as compared to |
| the treatment of wet macular degeneration in | | | | conventional therapies so far used. Though |
| recent times. This form of treatment effectively | | | | promising, this form of treatment is rather |
| halts the growth of further blood vessels. | | | | inconvenient, since the effect lasts only |
| Whatever the treatment modality, early detection | | | | temporarily and the patient has to undergo the |
| can be the key in the treatment for macular | | | | therapy every six weeks. It has definitely paved |
| degeneration, especially the wet form. Any | | | | the way for newer discoveries in the treatment |
| disturbance or distortion in vision can also be | | | | for macular degeneration. |
| checked at home with the help of Amsler grid - a | | | | The other treatment modalities include |
| simple yet effective tool for early diagnosis of | | | | conventional laser therapy, photo dynamic therapy |
| macular degeneration. Since the dry form of | | | | and trans-pupillary thermo therapy. All are used to |
| macular degeneration can quickly change its form | | | | treat wet macular degeneration and not the dry |
| and turn into the wet type, it is recommended | | | | form. Recent studies have shown that there is a |
| that a dry AMD patient should regularly consult his | | | | powerful connection between nutrition and the |
| or her eye doctor and follow his prescriptions and | | | | risk or progression of macular degeneration. Diets |
| advice regarding the management of its | | | | rich in fruits, green and leafy vegetables and fish, |
| progression and any deterioration of the condition. | | | | are considered to be playing an important role in |
| The primary objective of treatment of wet | | | | the development of this serious eye disorder. |
| macular degeneration is to arrest further vision | | | | Needles to mention, more research into this |
| loss as well as reduce the dimension of the 'blind | | | | particular field will throw more light on the subject. |