The treatment of AMD has changed very rapidly over the past few years, and new potential treatments continue to be developed and tested.
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Listen to an overview of AMD
by Dr. William F. Mieler, MD, from the transcript of the Illinois Vision Symposium, October 31, 2006 |
The drug Lucentis (ranibizumab) was approved by the FDA for treating AMD in June 2006. The drug is injected into the eye, often once a month over the course of many months. Lucentis has been shown to improve vision by at least 3 lines in about one third of patients over a one year course of treatment.
Common side effects: conjunctival hemorrhage, eye pain, vitreous floaters, increased intraocular pressure, eye inflammation.
Rare (less than 1%) but serious side effects: endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, traumatic cataracts.
Avastin (bevacizumab) is a drug similar to Lucentis that is used to treat colon cancer. Ophthalmologists may prescribe Avastin off label for the treatment of AMD. The National Eye Institute has announced funding of research to compare Avastin and Lucentis as treatments for AMD.
Macugen (pegabtanib) was approved in 2004 to treat Wet AMD, and is used solely or in combination with other AMD treatments.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a laser beam with a light-sensitive dye to destroy unhealthy new blood vessels under the retina. This treatment is used in combination with other AMD treatments.
Another laser treatment, called photocoagulation, uses a stronger laser to destroy new blood vessels. The treatment itself may leave permanent blind spots in a person’s vision. But it helps to slow or stop the growth of new blood vessels.
Other treatments
Vitamin Supplements. There is evidence that dietary supplements can help prevent the onset and progression of
age-relatated macular degeneration. People with AMD should discuss nutrition strategies with their eye doctor and consider whether taking a vitamin supplement containing lutein might be right for them.
Click here to find out more about vitamins and AMD.
Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, exercising and eating well may also help prevent AMD.
Find out more about healthy living and healthy vision.
This web resource is made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Ophthalmics and (OSI)Eyetech Pharmaceuticals.
Copyright © 2006 Prevent Blindness America ®
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