With respect to treating wet macular degeneration, there have been some exciting new developments in treatment. The FDA has approved two new drugs, Macugen and Lucentis, for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. These drugs, which are injected into the eye, inhibit the growth of blood vessels under the retina and help prevent further vision loss. Avastin is a similar drug to Lucentis that can be used for treating wet AMD, but is not FDA approved at this time.
In technical terms, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a protein that encourages the formation of unhealthy new blood vessels under the retina. These weak blood vessels can leak, causing the rapid destruction of the macula, and resulting in central vision loss. Lucentis, Macugen and Avastin work by inhibiting VEGF. Since they target wet AMD earlier in its development, they have a positive impact of preventing vision loss.
Lucentis is given to patients with active, leaky blood vessels, in a series of 3 injections given 4 weeks apart. In the interim, there will be close follow-up by your doctor. He may also schedule additional testing including fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, and optical coherence tomography to monitor the effects of the medication on the blood vessels.
Lucentis is the first drug that has been demonstrated to actually improve vision. Approximately 40% of patients treated with Lucentis have improvement in their vision. In addition, 90% are able to stabilize their vision and prevent further vision loss.
Another type of intravitreal injection involves a drug called triamcinolone acetonide. It is usually used in conjunction with another therapy – photodynamic therapy. Triamcinolone acetonide is a type of corticosteroid hormone that has been used for years to treat many diseases including eye disease, allergic reactions, arthritis and skin diseases. This medication can be very successful in reducing swelling in the eye, such as macular edema – associated with wet macular degeneration and other diseases of the retina. More than one treatment may be required to treat your macular edema. These injections are normally given in a series of shots six weeks apart.
Our highly skilled retina specialist gives these therapeutic injections in our Plymouth Laser and Surgical Center. Your eye will be numbed for the procedure and the medication will be injected.
Following the procedure, you may experience some mild discomfort in the eye. Most patients will also experience “floaters” – black spots floating across the eye for a couple of days. The most common side effects are blurry vision, redness, and sensitivity to light. Eye injections can also increase your eye pressure. However, the positive effects of stopping the leaking vessels, preventing further damage to the macula and preserving remaining central vision, normally outweigh the risks.
Although infection rarely results from an injection, you should notify your doctor immediately if symptoms, such as some pain or progressive decreased vision, should develop in the days following treatment. While highly unlikely, if you should experience a sudden onset of floaters or flashes in your eye, this can be an indication of a detached retina. Therefore, you should also notify your doctor.
Following the procedure, you may experience some mild discomfort in the eye. The most common side effects are blurry vision, redness, and sensitivity to light. Eye injections can also increase your eye pressure. Following treatment, you will need to be monitored on a regular basis by your doctor, so that he can assess the status of the wet AMD as well as your overall eye health.
You will not be able to drive immediately after the procedure. Therefore, you should have someone drive you to our surgery center. You will be able to resume your normal activities later the same day.
Overview of Macular Degeneration
Dry Macular Degeneration
Wet Macular Degeneration
Medical Treatment for Macular Degeneration
Therapeutic Injections for Macular Degeneration
Laser Treatment for Macular Degeneration
