Treatments
For both Wet and Dry AMD, there are some medications and lifestyle changes that may help prevent the condition worsening, or even occurring in the first place.
Vitamin supplements
Over the last decade, studies (particularly the AREDS and AREDS 2 trials) have found that certain combinations of vitamins could reduce the chances of macular degeneration worsening by around a third, although not everyone agrees that it helps that much and it may not help everyone. Eye Institute recommends taking the following medication:
Macu-Vision twice a day, together with either Lutein Vision Advanced twice a day or Lutein Vision Defence once a day. These are available from most pharmacies and do not require a prescription. It may be better to take the Lutein Vision Advanced rather than the Lutein Defence because it also contains omega three fatty acids, although whether these help in macular degeneration is disputed.
Stopping smoking
Smokers are more at risk of macular degeneration, and particularly Wet AMD, so it’s important to stop smoking, especially if you have been diagnosed with AMD.
Dietary changes
Eating more nuts and fish oils may help prevent AMD.
Wet AMD treatments
If you’re diagnosed with Wet AMD, you must be treated quickly to avoid permanent damage to your sight. The macular degeneration experts at Eye Institute use the most advanced medications and treatments for Wet AMD, including:
Wet AMD medication
The drugs Lucentis and Avastin have been shown to improve vision in people with Wet AMD, while other treatments only slow down vision loss. They are injected into the eye (which is less painful than it sounds), and may need to be repeated over several months.
Thermal laser treatment for Wet AMD
In a procedure called photocoagulation, heat from a laser can be used to seal off the abnormal leaky blood vessels that characterise Wet AMD. However, some damage to healthy tissue is also likely.
Non-thermal laser treatment for Wet AMD
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a light-activated drug and non-thermal laser to selectively destroy abnormal blood vessels, while preserving normal healthy tissue, but it usually doesn't work as well as injections..
The macular degeneration specialists at Eye Institute have treated many cases of both Dry AMD and Wet AMD