Treatment for macular degeneration

Is there a treatment for dry macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration treatment with vitamin formula

There is no cure for dry macular degeneration, however studies have shown that diet and lifestyle changes, including supplementation with natural carotenoids and vitamins may slow down the progression of the disease. The treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids may slow the progression of the disease and keep you from having a severe loss of vision.

Macular drusen are the first early signs of age related macular degeneration. They are a buildup of cellular waste material that have not been cleared. they show up as tiny yellow deposits in the retina during a routine dilated eye exam of the retina.

 What treatments are available for dry macular degeneration?

One major study has determined if daily intake of certain vitamins and minerals could reduce the risk of cataract and advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

A combination of vitamins E and C, beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin and and zinc–known as the AREDS formula has been tested for their effect in AMD. The AREDS 2 study showed that the AREDS formulation reduced the risk of progression from intermediate to advanced AMD by about 25 percent over a five-year period. The AREDS formula, however, showed no effect on cataract. Prior studies particulalry epidemiological studies have shown that increased dietary intake of some or all of these antioxidant and neuroprotective nutrients had been linked to a reduced risk of developing AMD and cataract. REsults from the AREDS 2 study showed that AREDS formula containing lutein/zeaxanthin and no beta-carotene had a slight reduction in the risk of advanced AMD, compared to the group of patients who took AREDS with beta-carotene. Additionally, for a subgroup of patients with very low levels of dietary intake of lutein/zeaxanthin, adding these supplements to the AREDS formulation helped lower their risk of advanced AMD. Most notably, lowering the level of zinc to 25 mg daily dose (from 80 mg in AREDS 1 study) had no significant changes in the effectiveness of the formulation.

In summary; adding lutein is beneficial and it is proven that zinc at 25 mg is equally effective in the AREDS formula. The AREDS vitamin formul is an effective treatment for reducing the risk of advanced AMD.

Taking omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA in the AREDS supplements did not reduce the risk of advanced AMD in the AREDS2 trial.

What is the original AREDS formulation?

  • 500 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C
  • 400 international units of vitamin E
  • 15 mg beta-carotene
  • 80 mg zinc as zinc oxide
  • 2 mg copper as cupric oxide

What modifications were tested in AREDS2?

  • 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin
  • 350 mg DHA and 650 mg EPA
  • No beta-carotene
  • 25 mg zinc   this was shown to be equally beneficial compared to 80mg zinc, which causes some side effects for example on stomach.

 

Saffron eye health supplement is a natural solution with nutrients and vitamins to help you maintain eyesight and support eye health:

According to recent research: “…saffron activates mechanisms of self-defense and self-repair in the retina of the eye, protecting it against oxidative damage. Saffron restores some of the lost vision, and then stabilizes retina against further degeneration, which is the classic cause of development and progression of AMD.”

Any changes to diet or lifestyle should be undertaken in consultation with the doctor.

Is there a treatment for wet macular degeneration?

Anti-angiogenic drugs

These medications are injected into your eye by your doctor. These drugs stop new blood vessels from forming and block the leaking from the abnormal vessels that cause wet macular degeneration. These medications help to prevent further bleeding in the macula of the eye. Many people ask if wet macular degeneration can be reversed with any of these medical treatments? For some patients taking these drugs have helped some patients regain the vision that they lost from the effects of AMD.

Treatments options in form of prescription medications injected into the eye exist only for wet form of AMD. The treatment may prevent severe vision loss or slow the progression of the disease considerably. These treatments do not cure the disease but aim to stabilize and maintain the best vision for as long as possible Several treatment options are available, including:

Anti-angiogenic drugs such as Lucentis® (ranibizumab), Eylea® (aflibercept) and Avastin® (bevacizumab). The choice of the most appropriate drug should be discussed with your eye specialist.

Laser therapy

In AMD abnormal blood vessel grow rapidly causing bleeding, leaky cells and distortion of the vision. Laser therapy can sometimes destroy actively growing abnormal blood vessels in the retina of patients affected with AMD. Speak with your doctor about options available for a treatment with high-energy laser beam.