| Wet AMD is called wet because of its new and | | | | Macugen, Lucentis and Avastin are the three |
| leaky blood vessels that grow in the choroid layer | | | | anti-VEGF therapies available at this time. |
| of the retina. The goal of most wet macular | | | | 3. Macular Degeneration Surgery |
| degeneration treatments is to stop any further | | | | Macular degeneration surgery does not cure |
| bleeding in the macular. This is so important | | | | macular degeneration nor does it necessarily |
| because when these immature blood vessels leak, | | | | restore lost vision. The main purpose is to |
| they permanently damage the photoreceptor cells. | | | | prevent further loss of your straight ahead or |
| Can wet macular degeneration be reversed with | | | | central vision. Macular degeneration surgery can |
| any of these treatments? Not usually. Again the | | | | sometimes be a decision you will have to make |
| goal is to stop or slow the progression of this | | | | very quickly - depending on your situation. |
| disease. | | | | Photocoagulation laser surgery or macular |
| Here are the treatment options for wet AMD. | | | | translocation surgery are the two types of |
| CONVENTIONAL THERAPY | | | | surgery. |
| 1. Visudyne or Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) | | | | ALTERNATIVE THERAPY |
| PDT uses a laser after a person has been | | | | 1. Acupuncture for Macular Degeneration |
| injected with a light-sensitive medicine called | | | | Acupuncture is a method of using fine needles to |
| verteporfin (Visudyne). It works by destroying | | | | stimulate invisible lines of energy or Qi |
| abnormal blood vessels in the retina and may help | | | | (pronounced "chee") running beneath the surface |
| slow the progression of wet macular | | | | of the skin. The acupuncturist inserts needles into |
| degeneration. | | | | particular points on the energy channels to correct |
| 2. Anti-VEGF Treatments | | | | the flow of Qi and so affect change in a part or |
| Anti-VEGF drugs block VEGF - vascular endothelial | | | | function of the body. |
| growth factor. This factor promotes the | | | | 2. Microcurrent Stimulation |
| development of the leaky, immature blood | | | | Microcurrent stimulation delivers low-intensity |
| vessels. | | | | electricity to the eye area with the idea that it will |
| So the anti-VEGF inhibits the growth of new blood | | | | improve circulation to the retina providing it with |
| vessels. You may also see these medications | | | | vital nutrients and assisting in the removal of |
| called anti-angiogenic. They are given by injections | | | | harmful waste products. |
| directly into the eye. | | | | |