Macular degeneration research has taken tremendous strides in recent years. Many people do not realizes just how significant some of the current treatments really are. In some cases, the condition is still irreparable. Even in these situations, the patient has options that can help slow the progression of symptoms. That alone is remarkable because the longer it takes for vision impairment to set in, the better off the patient is. Thanks to macular degeneration research, many people can keep their eye sight for longer, or even restore what was lost.
Injectable Drug Treatment Options
Macular degeneration research has produced number of drug treatment options. These are injected and can help with wet form macular degeneration. Some are even capable of slowing or diminishing the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye, thus beginning to reverse the condition. Although as of April 2007, only two of these drugs are FDA approved for treatment of macular degeneration, there are other promising options. Some of these are approve for use with other conditions, and may be added to the list in time.
Laser Therapy Treatment
Laser therapy is another option available thanks to macular degeneration research. Using a laser, blood vessels can be destroyed or sealed off to prevent hemorrhaging. Some doctors are reluctant to go with a laser treatment because it tends to leave behind many tiny scars on the retina. These scars become blind spots in the patient’s field of vision. Laser therapy is not used often, however through macular degeneration research a better approach may be found.
Cutting Edge Treatment Options
One of the most recent additions to treatment options for macular degeneration was approved by the FDA in July of 2010. This approach uses a tiny implantable telescope that can magnify images on the retina. Perhaps one of the most amazing solutions macular degeneration research has come up with yet, the implant is used for patients that have experienced severe vision loss. In time, macular degeneration research may find a better way to use implants like this one to cure the problem completely, or even prevent it.