Video: Are there different treatments for the different types of Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

In this video I discuss the different treatments for wet and dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and what you can do to avoid getting the wet type.

We discussed how dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration unfortunately doesn’t have a treatment, but there are things that you can do to encourage the non-development of wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Dry AMD can convert to wet, and for dry AMD patients, we encourage patients to make lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, encourage them in a healthy diet which is rich in nutrients, which are good for the eye – available in certain vegetables such as broccoli or leafy vegetables – for example, spinach.

The treatment for wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration has been revolutionised in the last ten years. We weren’t very good at treating it about ten years ago, but we’ve developed more and more sensitive ways and more and more effective ways of treating it.

We deliver a drug to the back of the eye which blocks the blood vessels from growing and once that happens the blood vessels associated with wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration can shrink.

The problem with that treatment is it doesn’t last very long because we have to deliver it to the back of the eye and if it doesn’t last long we have to give it frequently and that’s why sometimes you hear about patients receiving treatment for their wet Macular Degeneration on a monthly basis.

That continues until we get success. But the important thing is, there is something you can do for wet Macular Degeneration and you need to come to see me and discuss what you have and discuss the options of treatment if you need it straight away.

If you want further information please ring phone number at the end of the video and you can arrange an appointment and we can discuss the different types of Age-Related Macular Degeneration.