Dry Macular Degeneration
There are no treatments for Dry Macular Degeneration. However, a ten-year National Eye Institute - sponsored study, AREDS (Age Related Eye Disease Study), has shown that antioxidant vitamins and zinc may reduce the impact of Macular Degeneration. AREDS found that people with advanced stages of Macular Degeneration lowered their risk of vision loss by 25% when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamins A, C and E, beta-carotene, and zinc. For those who have very little or no Macular Degeneration, the special supplements did not appear to have any benefit.

Remember that these vitamins are not a cure. They will not restore vision and may even be harmful. For instance, large doses of antioxidants may have a negative effect on some people with some medical conditions. These vitamins and minerals should be prescribed by an eye care professional in specific daily amounts and be taken as supplements to a balanced diet. Be sure to meet with your eye care professional to learn if you're at risk, and whether supplements would help.

Wet Macular Degeneration
Wet Macular Degeneration needs to be treated as soon as it is discovers. Waiting will only lead to further vision loss. There are two treatments available for patients with certain forms of Wet Macular Degeneration.

One treatment is laser photocoagulation. While this process cannot restore lost vision, it seals the abnormal blood vessels. This prevents further vision deterioration in certain types of Wet Macular Degeneration.

In laser photocoagulation, a laser is used to destroy the abnormal blood vessels under the retina. Since the heat of the laser also destroys overlying healthy retinal tissue, a permanent blind spot will result anywhere the laser is applied. This, laser photocoagulation is useful if the abnormal blood vessels are not in the center of vision. If they are in the center however, laser to this area will lead to permanent loss of vision. Fortunately, there is a way to treat abnormal blood vessels in the center. Its called VisudyneŽ Therapy.

Even with Visudyne Therapy there may be some loss of vision. However, it's less severe than laser photocoagulation or no treatment at all. And, Visudyne Therapy cannot restore lost vision.

In Visudyne Therapy, a light-activated drug known as Visudyne (verteporfin for injection) is injected into the bloodstream. The drug travels in the bloodstream and collects in the abnormal blood vessels, where it is activated by a non-thermal laser (a laser that does not burn the retina). This produces a reaction that closes the abnormal vessels without causing damage to the overlying retina.

Visudyne Therapy is a multi-course treatment. The desired result cannot be achieved with just one or two treatments. Multiple treatments are necessary because leakage often reoccurs and the abnormal blood vessels may return after treatment. However, Visudyne can be reapplied at up to three-month intervals, if necessary. A typical treatment schedule for eligible AMD patients is three treatments in the first year, two times in the second year, and one to two treatments in the third year.

Experimental Treatments
There are a number of experimental treatments currently being evaluated in clinical studies. These studies will help determine whether or not these treatments are safe and effective in treating Wet Macular Degeneration. Treatments include the flowing:

Transpupillary Thermotherapy (TTT). This therapy uses a low-intensity thermal laser to potentially treat abnormal blood vessels.

Submacular Surgery. In this procedure, a physician surgically removes abnormal blood vessels.

Macular Translocation. This procedure involves repositioning the retina so that the non-functioning portion is replaced with healthy retinal tissue.

Feeder Vessel Therapy. This treatment involves the use of special angiography equipment in conjunction with a thermal laser. The goal is to identify and then treat arteries that feed blood to the abnormal vessels.

Pharmacologic (Anti-Angiogenesis) Therapy. Through the use of drugs, this therapy works to potentially inhibit the growth of abnormal blood vessels.

Radiation Therapy. This is used in certain medical applications to stop the formation of blood vessels. The goal is to use radiation to halt the growth of abnormal blood vessels.