Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOver-the-Counter TherapiesMedicationsSpecialist-Driven ProceduresLifestyleFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Macular Degeneration GuideCoping With Macular Degeneration
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Over-the-Counter Therapies
Medications
Specialist-Driven Procedures
Lifestyle
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Macular Degeneration Guide
Verywell / Laura Porter
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology,vitamin supplementationmay slow the progression of intermediate non-exudative AMD, which is often referred to as the dry form of AMD.
Recommendations based on the Age Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS 2):
Blood vessel overgrowth in the eye is a large part of macular degeneration, and activity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)—a protein—may play a role in that.
Anti-VEGF medications have been shown to be effective in preventing the proliferation of fragile blood vessels that can leak and cause further damage to the macula.
Anti-VEGF medications include:
The effects of anti-VEGF procedure typically last for approximately one month, although recent studies show that treatments can be extended in some individuals.You may need repeat procedures if your eye examination shows recurrent blood vessel overgrowth.
There are also emerging treatments on the horizon that are being studied, such as gene therapy.
Emerging Treatments for Macular Degeneration
There are severalsurgical and therapeutic proceduresthat can prevent and slow down the progression of macular degeneration. Your eye doctor or a retinal specialist will examine your eyes and vision carefully to determine whether or not you would benefit from and tolerate these procedures; the decision is a complex one.
The procedures used for macular degeneration include:
Laser Surgery:Laser surgery procedures use targeted lasers to prevent the proliferation of fragile blood vessels in the eye. This is typically performed in an outpatient setting, and the effect should last for more than a year.That said, the procedure may be repeated years later in some cases if needed.
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There are several lifestyle factors that may reduce your risk of developing AMD, and they should also be part of your complete AMD treatment plan:
Additionally, you can see a vision rehab specialist, who can provide you with resources to help safely navigate your environment and manage activities of daily living. Joining a support group can be helpful. And your family can also learn how to support you as you cope with vision loss.
Frequently Asked QuestionsInwet macular degeneration, a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) causes abnormal blood vessels to grow in the back of the eye. The most common treatment is an anti-VEGF injection, which helps stop the blood vessels from leaking. Photodynamic therapy is occasionally used as a treatment along with anti-VEGF medication.There is some evidence that ahealthy dietmay help improve the outlook for AMD. A review study found that a Mediterranean diet, fatty fish with omega-3 fatty acids, and vegetables rich in carotenoids were beneficial for those at risk for AMD. In contrast, a Western diet, red meats, vegetable oils, animal fats, and more than two alcoholic drinks per day were linked to an increased risk of AMD progression.
Inwet macular degeneration, a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) causes abnormal blood vessels to grow in the back of the eye. The most common treatment is an anti-VEGF injection, which helps stop the blood vessels from leaking. Photodynamic therapy is occasionally used as a treatment along with anti-VEGF medication.
There is some evidence that ahealthy dietmay help improve the outlook for AMD. A review study found that a Mediterranean diet, fatty fish with omega-3 fatty acids, and vegetables rich in carotenoids were beneficial for those at risk for AMD. In contrast, a Western diet, red meats, vegetable oils, animal fats, and more than two alcoholic drinks per day were linked to an increased risk of AMD progression.
Coping With Macular Degeneration
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gorusupudi A, Nelson K, Bernstein PS.The Age-Related Eye Disease 2 Study: Micronutrients in the Treatment of Macular Degeneration. Adv Nutr. 2017;8(1):40-53. doi:10.3945/an.116.013177Macular Degeneration Treatments - AMDF. American Macular Degeneration Foundation.Age-Related Macular Degeneration. National Eye Institute.National Eye Institute.Treatments for wet AMD (advanced neovascular AMD).Chapman N, Jacobs R, Braakhuis A.Role of diet and food intake in age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review.Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2018;47(1):106-127. doi:10.1111/ceo.13343Additional ReadingAruna Gorusupudi, Kelly Nelson, and Paul S Bernstein.The Age-Related Eye Disease 2 Study: Micronutrients in the Treatment of Macular Degeneration. Adv Nutr. 2017 Jan; 8(1): 40–53. Published online 2017 Jan 11. doi: 10.3945/an.116.013177Bahadorani S, Singer M.Recent advances in the management and understanding of macular degeneration. 2017 Apr 20;6:519. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.10998.1. eCollection 2017, DOI:10.12688/f1000research.10664.1Evans JR.Ginkgo biloba extract for age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jan 31;(1):CD001775. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001775.pub2.Hernández-Zimbrón LF, Zamora-Alvarado R, Ochoa-De la Paz L, et al.Age-Related Macular Degeneration: New Paradigms for Treatment and Management of AMD. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018 Feb 1;2018:8374647. doi: 10.1155/2018/8374647. eCollection 2018.Korobelnik JF, Rougier MB, Delyfer MN, et al. Effect of Dietary Supplementation With Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and ω-3 on Macular Pigment: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2017 Nov 1;135(11):1259-1266. doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2017.3398.Shusheng Wang and Khrishen Cunnusamy.Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration—Evaluation of WO2012079419. Expert Opin Ther Pat. 2013 Feb; 23(2): 269–272.Published online 2012 Dec 10. doi: 10.1517/13543776.2013.751972Wang Y, Zhao L, Lu F, et al. Retinoprotective Effects of Bilberry Anthocyanins via Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms in a Visible Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration Model in Pigmented Rabbits. Molecules. 2015 Dec 14;20(12):22395-410. doi: 10.3390/molecules201219785.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gorusupudi A, Nelson K, Bernstein PS.The Age-Related Eye Disease 2 Study: Micronutrients in the Treatment of Macular Degeneration. Adv Nutr. 2017;8(1):40-53. doi:10.3945/an.116.013177Macular Degeneration Treatments - AMDF. American Macular Degeneration Foundation.Age-Related Macular Degeneration. National Eye Institute.National Eye Institute.Treatments for wet AMD (advanced neovascular AMD).Chapman N, Jacobs R, Braakhuis A.Role of diet and food intake in age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review.Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2018;47(1):106-127. doi:10.1111/ceo.13343Additional ReadingAruna Gorusupudi, Kelly Nelson, and Paul S Bernstein.The Age-Related Eye Disease 2 Study: Micronutrients in the Treatment of Macular Degeneration. Adv Nutr. 2017 Jan; 8(1): 40–53. Published online 2017 Jan 11. doi: 10.3945/an.116.013177Bahadorani S, Singer M.Recent advances in the management and understanding of macular degeneration. 2017 Apr 20;6:519. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.10998.1. eCollection 2017, DOI:10.12688/f1000research.10664.1Evans JR.Ginkgo biloba extract for age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jan 31;(1):CD001775. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001775.pub2.Hernández-Zimbrón LF, Zamora-Alvarado R, Ochoa-De la Paz L, et al.Age-Related Macular Degeneration: New Paradigms for Treatment and Management of AMD. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018 Feb 1;2018:8374647. doi: 10.1155/2018/8374647. eCollection 2018.Korobelnik JF, Rougier MB, Delyfer MN, et al. Effect of Dietary Supplementation With Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and ω-3 on Macular Pigment: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2017 Nov 1;135(11):1259-1266. doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2017.3398.Shusheng Wang and Khrishen Cunnusamy.Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration—Evaluation of WO2012079419. Expert Opin Ther Pat. 2013 Feb; 23(2): 269–272.Published online 2012 Dec 10. doi: 10.1517/13543776.2013.751972Wang Y, Zhao L, Lu F, et al. Retinoprotective Effects of Bilberry Anthocyanins via Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms in a Visible Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration Model in Pigmented Rabbits. Molecules. 2015 Dec 14;20(12):22395-410. doi: 10.3390/molecules201219785.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gorusupudi A, Nelson K, Bernstein PS.The Age-Related Eye Disease 2 Study: Micronutrients in the Treatment of Macular Degeneration. Adv Nutr. 2017;8(1):40-53. doi:10.3945/an.116.013177Macular Degeneration Treatments - AMDF. American Macular Degeneration Foundation.Age-Related Macular Degeneration. National Eye Institute.National Eye Institute.Treatments for wet AMD (advanced neovascular AMD).Chapman N, Jacobs R, Braakhuis A.Role of diet and food intake in age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review.Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2018;47(1):106-127. doi:10.1111/ceo.13343
Gorusupudi A, Nelson K, Bernstein PS.The Age-Related Eye Disease 2 Study: Micronutrients in the Treatment of Macular Degeneration. Adv Nutr. 2017;8(1):40-53. doi:10.3945/an.116.013177
Macular Degeneration Treatments - AMDF. American Macular Degeneration Foundation.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration. National Eye Institute.
National Eye Institute.Treatments for wet AMD (advanced neovascular AMD).
Chapman N, Jacobs R, Braakhuis A.Role of diet and food intake in age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review.Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2018;47(1):106-127. doi:10.1111/ceo.13343
Aruna Gorusupudi, Kelly Nelson, and Paul S Bernstein.The Age-Related Eye Disease 2 Study: Micronutrients in the Treatment of Macular Degeneration. Adv Nutr. 2017 Jan; 8(1): 40–53. Published online 2017 Jan 11. doi: 10.3945/an.116.013177Bahadorani S, Singer M.Recent advances in the management and understanding of macular degeneration. 2017 Apr 20;6:519. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.10998.1. eCollection 2017, DOI:10.12688/f1000research.10664.1Evans JR.Ginkgo biloba extract for age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jan 31;(1):CD001775. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001775.pub2.Hernández-Zimbrón LF, Zamora-Alvarado R, Ochoa-De la Paz L, et al.Age-Related Macular Degeneration: New Paradigms for Treatment and Management of AMD. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018 Feb 1;2018:8374647. doi: 10.1155/2018/8374647. eCollection 2018.Korobelnik JF, Rougier MB, Delyfer MN, et al. Effect of Dietary Supplementation With Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and ω-3 on Macular Pigment: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2017 Nov 1;135(11):1259-1266. doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2017.3398.Shusheng Wang and Khrishen Cunnusamy.Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration—Evaluation of WO2012079419. Expert Opin Ther Pat. 2013 Feb; 23(2): 269–272.Published online 2012 Dec 10. doi: 10.1517/13543776.2013.751972Wang Y, Zhao L, Lu F, et al. Retinoprotective Effects of Bilberry Anthocyanins via Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms in a Visible Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration Model in Pigmented Rabbits. Molecules. 2015 Dec 14;20(12):22395-410. doi: 10.3390/molecules201219785.
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