How is age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated?

  The traditional approach to wet AMD is laser photocoagulation. The specificity of the macular region has significant limitations on photocoagulation. Photocoagulation can destroy the healthy tissue surrounding the lesion and aggravate the visual impairment, so it is only suitable for a small percentage of patients with neovascularization far from the center of the macula. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is the most exciting new technology for AMD in recent years. A photosensitizer called vetiprofen is injected intravenously into the neovascularization of the eye, and then a special wavelength of light is shone into the diseased area of the eye. This light activates the drug in the neovascularization, and the activated drug destroys the neovascularization, thereby delaying vision loss. Photodynamic therapy for AMD is selective and generally does not damage the healthy tissue surrounding the lesion. Photodynamic therapy can control the progression of the lesion and slow down the rate of vision loss, but it cannot completely stop the loss of vision. The disease may recur after treatment, requiring repeat treatment.  Intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF therapy is another new treatment for AMD after photodynamic therapy. This method blocks the action of vascular endothelial growth factor in the eye. It promotes the shrinkage of subretinal neovascularization, and the results of clinical trials are encouraging. Macular edema improved and neovascularization was somewhat controlled after treatment. The method usually requires multiple injections.  Dry AMD can be treated with an ophthalmic antioxidant complex and topical drops of Sturgeon eye solution. Some studies have shown that taking ophthalmic antioxidants for mid-stage dry AMD can delay the progression to advanced AMD. The prevention and treatment of AMD is a challenge that has not yet been overcome in ophthalmology. There is no cure for AMD. However, new treatments for wet AMD, including photodynamic therapy (PDR) and intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF), have shown good clinical results in slowing the progression of the lesion and reducing visual impairment, so the efficient use of available medical resources will improve the possibility of preserving the existing vision for AMD patients to the greatest extent possible.