Macular Degeneration
Neuro-Ophthalmology
Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)
Macular Degeneration Eye Injections & Treatment for Macular Degeneration in Lancashire & Merseyside.
If you’re looking for treatment for macular degeneration at iSIGHT we offer macular degeneration injections for wet ARMD and can provide you with support and guidance for dealing with dry ARMD.
What Is Macular Degeneration (ARMD)?
Age related macular degeneration (ARMD), accounts for about 50% of all visual impairment in the developed world and generally affects people over the age of 50. It is an eye condition that affects a tiny part of the retina at the back of your eye which contains millions of light sensing cells called photoreceptors.
These receptors are concentrated in the centre of the retina, the macula which is about the size of a pinhead and is responsible for the fine detailed vision we need to be able to read. Age related macular degeneration occurs when there is damage to these light sensing cells which then causes problems with your central vision. It is not painful but obstructive to your vision.
What Are The Symptoms Of Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
There are some clear early signs of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), below are some of the key symptoms to consider.
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You may notice difficulty reading small print
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Seeing photographs clearly
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Watching TV
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You may notice a slight smudge in the centre of your vision
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Straight lines may look distorted
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Judging distance and height becomes difficult
ARMD Wet vs Dry (Difference Between Wet and Dry ARMD)
Wet macular degeneration produces new blood vessels that leak, and cause build-up of fluid. Dry macular degeneration does not produce new vessels. Neither wet or dry ARMD affects your peripheral vision, so it will never lead to total blindness.
Dry Macular Degeneration (Dry ARMD)
This is the common form of ARMD, and it develops slowly, causing gradual changes in your central vision. Initially only one eye might be affected, and symptoms may be difficult to recognise as your second eye compensates for the first.
It takes a long time to get to its final stage. Dry ARMD causes a blank patch in the central vision.
Is there any treatment for dry macular degeneration? There is currently no treatment available to reverse dry ARMD or injections for dry macular degeneration, however there are lifestyle changes such as, stopping smoking, diet, and macular degeneration treatment vitamins which may help.
There’s some evidence that a diet rich in vitamins A , C and E – as well as substances called Lutein and Zeaxanthin – may slow the progression of dry ARMD, and possibly even reduce your risk of getting wet ARMD.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are not made within the body and can only be obtained from what we eat. Foods high in vitamins A, C and E include oranges, kiwis, leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, and carrots.
Some great lutein sources include spinach, kale, peas, mangoes, and sweetcorn; you can also find a more comprehensive food list at macular.org.
There’s no definitive proof that eating these foods will be effective for everyone with dry ARMD, but this type of healthy diet has other important health benefits.
Dietary supplements are also available, some of which claim to specifically improve eye health. Check with your GP before taking macular degeneration treatment vitamins or supplements as they may not be suitable for everyone.
Wet Macular Degeneration (Wet ARMD)
Wet ARMD develops very quickly and affects your vision in a short period of time. Treatment is available and needs to be given quickly before the new blood vessels cause damage to your macula. If the blood vessels are left to grow, the scarring and sight loss is usually permanent. The goal of treatment is to prevent further loss of vision and possibly improvement in your vision.
What is the best treatment for wet macular degeneration? Lucentis, Avastin and Eylea are medicines given by injection into the eye. A wet macular degeneration injection is to slow or stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels and leakage. The eye is numbed, and the medication is injected.
Macular degeneration eye injections and the procedure is repeated once a month for 3 months and later as necessary. Your surgeon will tell you how often you will need treatment. It is not usually painful, but you may feel a bit queasy afterwards.
If you’re looking for further information around macular degeneration treatment UK we recommend the following resources: NHS, RNIB.org, macular.org, maculassociety.org.