Humana HealthBeat Transcript Archive

July 7

Macular Degeneration Treatment

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in older Americans. But earlier this year, the FDA approved a new treatment that may give hope to some who suffer from this condition.

The good news is that this treatment helps people with the most severe form of macular degeneration.

AMD stands for age-related macular degeneration. The macula is found in the center of the retina. Light traveling to the macula is changed into nerve signals that tell the brain what you’re seeing. Damage to the macula results in a loss of central, or straight-ahead, vision.

The wet type of AMD is named for the leaking of fluid that occurs as abnormal blood vessels grow toward the macula. Wet AMD affects only 10 percent of those with AMD, but it accounts for 90 percent of the severe vision loss associated with this disease. The new treatment, called Visudyne, specifically treats wet AMD.

Visudyne therapy can be performed in a doctor’s office. First the drug is injected in a vein in the arm, where it travels through the body and collects in the abnormal vessels in the eye. Then the drug is activated by shining a laser in the eye for about 90 seconds. The goal of the treatment is to stop the growth of the abnormal blood vessels. If the procedure is successful, it will slow the damage to the retina and stabilize vision, but it won’t restore vision that is already lost.

Most patients will need an average of five treatments over two years, depending on the growth of the blood vessels. There is minimal risk, but some people had reactions at the injection sight or visual disturbances during the studies of the treatment. If you’re considering this treatment, speak with your physician about the risks as well as benefits.

Wet AMD can rob you of your vision in as little as eight weeks. At first, straight lines may appear wavy, or your straight-ahead, or central vision may blur or worsen. Any change in eyesight warrants a visit to the doctor, and everyone over the age of 50 should have an annual exam.

Who’s at the most risk for AMD?

The risk increases as we get older. People in their 50’s have about a two percent chance of getting the disease, but the risk rises to nearly 30 percent by age 75—that’s why regular eye exams are so important. You may be at an increased risk if you’re a woman, if a close relative has AMD, if you have high cholesterol, or if you smoke.

RESOURCES:

Age Related Macular Degeneration
National Eye Institute
www.nei.nih.gov/publications/armd-p.htm

The Macula Foundation, Inc.
www.macula.org

Macular Degeneration Partnership
www.macd.net

Macular Degeneration Foundation
www.eyesight.org

July 7
Macular Degeneration Treatment
	Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in older Americans. But earlier this year, the FDA approved a new treatment that may give hope to some who suffer from this condition. The good news is that this treatment helps people with the most severe form of macular degeneration. AMD stands for age-related macular degeneration. The macula is found in the center of the retina. Light traveling to the macula is changed into nerve signals that tell the brain what you’re seeing. Damage to the macula results in a loss of central, or straight-ahead, vision. The wet type of AMD is named for the leaking of fluid that occurs as abnormal blood vessels grow toward the macula. Wet AMD affects only 10 percent of those with AMD, but it accounts for 90 percent of the severe vision loss associated with this disease. The new treatment, called Visudyne, specifically treats wet AMD. Visudyne therapy can be performed in a doctor’s office. First the drug is injected in a vein in the arm, where it travels through the body and collects in the abnormal vessels in the eye. Then the drug is activated by shining a laser in the eye for about 90 seconds. The goal of the treatment is to stop the growth of the abnormal blood vessels. If the procedure is successful, it will slow the damage to the retina and stabilize vision, but it won’t restore vision that is already lost. Most patients will need an average of five treatments over two years, depending on the growth of the blood vessels. There is minimal risk, but some people had reactions at the injection sight or visual disturbances during the studies of the treatment. If you’re considering this treatment, speak with your physician about the risks as well as benefits. Wet AMD can rob you of your vision in as little as eight weeks. At first, straight lines may appear wavy, or your straight-ahead, or central vision may blur or worsen. Any change in eyesight warrants a visit to the doctor, and everyone over the age of 50 should have an annual exam.

	Who’s at the most risk for AMD? The risk increases as we get older. People in their 50’s have about a two percent chance of getting the disease, but the risk rises to nearly 30 percent by age 75—that’s why regular eye exams are so important. You may be at an increased risk if you’re a woman, if a close relative has AMD, if you have high cholesterol, or if you smoke.
	RESOURCES: Age Related Macular Degeneration National Eye Institute www.nei.nih.gov/publications/armd-p.htm The Macula Foundation, Inc. www.macula.org Macular Degeneration Partnership www.macd.net Macular Degeneration Foundation www.eyesight.org