eye disorders
Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD or ARMD)
Treatment of AMD
Dietary supplements Drugs and laser procedures Low-vision aids and counseling No treatment is currently available to undo damage caused by the dry type. No treatment is currently recommended for mild disease. Stopping smoking may help reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Dietary supplements are recommended for people with intermediate or advanced AMD in one eye. People can reduce their risk of developing advanced AMD by taking the following supplements: Zinc Copper Vitamin C Vitamin E Lutein plus zeaxanthin (for people who have smoked in the past or who currently smoke) Beta-carotene orvitamin A(for people who do not and have not smoked) because these supplements can increase the risk of developing lung cancer. Lutein plus zeaxanthin can be used instead. Men who take these supplements have a higher risk of developing urinary tract and prostate problems, and women who take these supplements have a higher risk of developing Urinary Incontinence in Adults . Beta-carotene may cause the skin to turn yellow. Controlling risk factors for atherosclerosis (such as high blood pressure) and regularly eating more foods that have omega-3 fatty acids and eating more dark green leafy vegetables may help slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. However, taking supplements of omega-3 fatty acids does not slow the progression of the disorder. may have a higher risk of side effects (for example, inflammation in the eye and/or problems with Blockage of Central Retinal Arteries and Branch Retinal Arteries ) than other similar drugs. Recently, an implantable port delivery system forranibizumabbecame available for the treatment of wet AMD. This surgically placed implant is permanent, continuously deliversranibizumabinto the vitreous humor (the clear, gel-like substance in the eyeball that gives it its round shape), and can be refilled repeatedly. Another treatment is photodynamic therapy. In this treatment, a substance that sensitizes the retinal blood vessels to laser light is injected into a vein in the arm, and then a beam of laser light is used to destroy the abnormal new blood vessels. If the new blood vessels are not directly under the macula, a thermal laser can be used to destroy them before they do more harm. Surgery is rarely done for wet AMD. Magnifiers, high-power reading glasses, telescopic lenses, and closed-circuit television magnifying devices may help people with poor vision. Computer users can select from a variety of low-vision aids (see sidebar What Are Low-Vision Aids? ). For example, one device projects an enhanced image from the computer onto an undamaged part of the retina. Certain types of software display computer data in large print or read the data aloud in a synthetic voice. Electronic books (e-books) may make reading easier because they allow people to adjust the font size and contrast level. For people with permanent, severe, central vision loss caused by AMD, an implantable miniature telescope can be used. Counseling regarding the types of services that are available for people with poor vision is advisable and is typically given by a low-vision specialist (an ophthalmologist or optometrist who specializes in treating people with very poor vision). 