About Macular Degeneration Surgery

One of the leading causes of blindness in people over 50, in the United States is age-related macular degeneration. It is a kind of eye disorder which involves the macula, which is situated at the back of the eye in the central region of the retina. Since the macula is responsible for our ability to have sharp vision, read, drive and see fine details, any defect or disease in this area can impair our vision seriously. There are two forms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - the dry and wet forms. The former is more rampant and starts with the development of small yellowish spots, called drusen, which adversely affect our vision. Though these do not result in loss of vision, it can disturb our normal visibility to a great extent.

Though nation-wide research is currently going on to find newer medications and treatment options for AMD, there are no medicines or surgical remedies available for the treatment of dry form of macular degeneration. Patients are usually advised special lenses to enhance their vision. Even the intake of antioxidants is considered to allay the onset of AMD. Since the dry form can rapidly alter its form and become wet AMD, monitoring eyesight regularly is critically important for elderly people.

The wet form of AMD can be treated in several ways, but with varying success rates. With the objective of killing the increasing growth of unnatural blood vessels in the eye, the procedures include: photo dynamic and laser therapy. These surgical procedures use laser beams along with drugs which react to lights, to destroy the blood vessels which are considered abnormal. Macular degeneration surgery may also include using an enzyme to melt any clots beneath the macula. When the unnatural blood vessels are just beneath the macula enter, where lasers can not reach, a surgeon can move the retina away from the disease area to a fresh site which is comparatively safe and healthy. Then the laser is used to destroy the unnatural growth of blood vessels.

A bubble is placed where the retina has been moved or from where the blood vessels have been destroyed. This enables the retina to get back to normal health quickly. For this, after a macular degeneration surgery, it is required that the patient stays in one particular position, like straight or lying on his side, for many days, till such times that the bubble is normalized within the eye. The doctor usually recommends an angiogram to finally check whether there is any blood leaking in any area. In case there is any anomaly observed, another laser therapy is advised.