Treatment for Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a condition of gradual loss of vision. Today, in the U.S. nearly 10 million people are suffering from this disease than cataract or glaucoma.

Today, even medical experts suggest that this eye condition cannot be cured. Treatments can improve the condition of the patient. This disease is caused due to the deterioration of the central portion of the retina. The retina is the inner portion of the eye that is located on the backside. It is the part that records the images that we see and sends the message to the brain through the optic nerves. It is also responsible for focusing on the central portion of the brain. It controls our ability to read and visualize.

The macular degeneration is of two types namely ‘dry’ and ‘wet’. Nearly 85% people suffer from ‘dry’ type.

Causes

Even the medical experts till today are not able to diagnose the root cause of this disease, but they state that it is usually caused due to hereditary and environmental factors. The risk factors of macular degeneration are genetics, race, and smoking. The Caucasians are usually affected by this disease than Africans, Hispanics or Latinos. But smoking can increase the risk level for this disease.

Cure

Medical experts are not able to discover or suggest any cure for the disease but yet they suggest some methods to reduce the risk of the disease. People should follow a healthy dietary pattern, do exercise and avoid habits such as smoking and also should protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays.

The wet type of disease is even severe compared to the dry type and it is usually treated with anti-V EGF medications. The medical experts usually suggest anti-angiogenic drug treatment for the wet type. It reduces the level of vascular endothelial protein growth and also curbs the growth of abnormal blood vessel growth. But, yet the doctors do not recommend injections and they greatly focus upon medications. Alternatively, doctors suggest multi-vitamin therapies for the treatment.

The experts have also conducted preclinical tests to determine the root cause of the disease. In the first phase, the tests are conducted for safety. The second level of treatment focused upon efficacy and the third level treatment focused upon prevention.

The Stem Cell Therapy is suggested for people who are suffering from the dry type of macular degeneration problem.

The macular degeneration problem causes the death of photoreceptors cells that provide a stimulus to the brain. So, when the RPE cells fail then vision deteriorates along with photoreceptors. Recently, the doctors have introduced the bioengineered synthetic cellular membrane that is used for replacing the Bruch’s membrane. The doctors use the RPE cells to directly inject into the retina. The medical experts are also using methods to maintain the condition of photoreceptors and improve vision. Still, many other medical experts also focus upon multi-vitamin regimen to encourage the healthy lifestyle of the patients.

Many clinics are providing stem cell therapy for macular degeneration treatment in India. They also focus upon repairing and replacing damaged cells in the eyes and hence ultimately improve the vision of an individual. In India, people above the age of 50 years are vulnerable to this disease. Studies suggest that in India as many people are constantly exposed to the harmful UV rays of the sun, they develop this disease. They can increase the risk of AMD. Usually, women develop this disease easily than men.

The age-related macular degeneration treatment includes nutritional therapy, multi-vitamin therapy, and the doctors also suggest consumption of minerals. These treatments are suggested by the patients to increase healthy pigments into the body and to support the cell structure. The earliest treatment suggested for patients is Laser Photocoagulation treatment.