Macula Degeneration Treatment

Currently, there is no cure for either form of AMD. Management is aimed at slowing its progression and minimising the effect it has on daily activities. However, some patients with wet AMD have actually regained vision following treatment.

1. Low vision clinic appointment. At North Devon District Hospital, optometrists provide useful advice and practical support in the form of magnifying lenses, large print books and reading lights. There are also a number of devices that can help you adjust to low vision, such as screen-reading software on your computer.
2. Diet and nutrition. There is some evidence that the progression of the condition may be slowed by a diet high in specific vitamins A (beta-carotene), C, and E, as well as substances called lutein and zeaxanthin. Foods high in vitamins A, C, and E include oranges, kiwi fruit, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes and carrots. Green leafy vegetables are also a good source of lutein, as are peas, mangos and sweetcorn.

The main treatment for wet AMD is ‘anti-VEGF medication’ to prevent the growth of new blood vessels in the eye.

VEGF stands for 'vascular endothelial growth factor'. It is one of the chemicals responsible for the growth of new blood vessels that form in the eye as a result of wet AMD.

A tiny quantity of anti-VEGF is injected into the vitreous cavity, after the eye has been numbed with anaesthetic drops. These drugs need to be injected into the eye at regular intervals until the condition becomes inactive.