Macular degeneration can pose a direct threat to your
eyesight - or at least to the central zone of your eyesight that allows you to
focus on people, objects, and text. This disease, which most commonly strikes
people aged 50 and
older, often causes progressive retinal damage, abnormal blood vessel
formation, and bleeding inside the eye.
Fortunately, modern medical knowledge and technologies can
help you preserve your eyesight even after receiving a diagnosis of macular
degeneration. Take a look at some key treatment strategies your ophthalmologist
may prescribe in your battle against this leading cause of vision loss.
Dietary and Lifestyle Changes
Macular degeneration typically starts as a less destructive
form but very common one known as dry macular degeneration. In this stage of
the disease, the tissue of the macula grows thinner and clumps of proteins may
develop in the eye. Ophthalmologists treat this early stage by recommending
lifestyle changes rather than medical procedures.
Cardiovascular disease and macular degeneration share some
of the same risk factors. For this reason, your ophthalmologist may urge you to
get your blood pressure under control. You may need to quit smoking, lose
weight, get more exercise, or change your diet so that it revolves around whole
grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Some foods can prove especially good for maintaining healthy
eyes. Consider eating more fatty fish, which can provide your eyes with omega-3
fatty acids. Consume plenty of antioxidant-rich foods, such as yellow or orange
peppers, dark leafy greens, and fruits such as blueberries, raspberries,
grapes, and strawberries.
AREDS2 Supplements
If your macular degeneration has progressed into an
intermediate stage, you may need more concentrated and precise nutritional help
than you can easily get just from foods. As a response to this need,
researchers have developed two special supplementation formulas: AREDS and
AREDS2.
Both AREDS and AREDS2 contain a finely tuned balance of
several key nutrients that support retinal health. The original AREDS formula
includes Vitamins A, C, and E along with beta-carotene and zinc. AREDS2
includes the same nutrients as AREDS but adds two more potent antioxidants,
lutein and zeaxanthin.
Anti-VEGF Injections
Some people with dry macular degeneration eventually develop
the later-stage condition known as wet macular degeneration. In this stage,
weak, abnormal blood vessels can develop that leak blood into the retinal
tissue, causing swelling and releasing blood into the eye. This problem can
also scar the macula.
Abnormal blood vessels in wet macular degeneration seem to
stem from high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). To reduce
the levels of this protein in your eyes, your ophthalmologist can inject the
eyes with anti-VEGF medications. A course of such injections can slow or even
arrest the growth of new blood vessels.
Surgery
Although anti-VEGF injections can help minimize the number
of new blood vessels that might leak blood into the retina, they can't address
any leaky blood vessels your wet macular degeneration has already produced. To
control that bleeding, your ophthalmologist may recommend that you undergo
laser surgery.
In the traditional form of laser surgery for this condition,
a technique called laser photocoagulation, the ophthalmologist uses the
surgical laser to burn specific areas of retinal tissue, thus sealing off leaky
blood vessels. This technique has its pros and cons because it can also burn
healthy, useful retinal tissue.
A newer form of laser surgery called photodynamic therapy
offers improved precision, with less damage to healthy retinal tissue. In this
procedure, the ophthalmologist injects you with a light-sensitive drug. When
the laser shines on blood vessels containing this drug, the drug creates clots
in them, sealing them off.
If you need treatment for macular degeneration,
turn to the specialists at Calvert Ophthalmology Center. We can examine your
condition, recommend the right treatment options for your current situation,
and administer sight-saving surgery if necessary.
Contact
our clinic
today for an appointment.
