The effects of macular degeneration can be devastating as the damaged cells in the macula gradually cause central vision loss. According to the National Eye Institute, Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans aged 60 years and older. Treatment includes a vitamin formula that slows down the progression of the disease, anti-VEGF medications and anti-inflammatory drugs. In addition, several studies indicate other promising medicines on the horizon.
AREDS Formula
According to the National Eye Institute, the institute's Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found that taking a specific high-dose formula of antioxidants and zinc could slow down the progression of vision loss from the moderate to severe stage. Antioxidants are nutrients, minerals and enzymes that can counteract damage caused by the process of oxidation. However, the formula was not found to be beneficial for individuals in the early stage of the disease. This formula contains 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 International Units of vitamin E, 15 mg of beta-carotene and 80 mg of zinc. In addition, 2 mg of copper has been added to prevent copper deficiency possibly caused by consuming high levels of zinc. According to AllAboutVision.com, certain patients in the study had their risk for disease progression lowered by 28 percent; this was especially true for patients with large numbers of intermediate or large "drusen" depositions on their retinas. Drusen--a yellow deposit that develops under the retina--is an early sign of dry ARMD. According to "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," foods that contain high levels of antioxidants that may fight ARMD include green leafy vegetables, yellow vegetables and berries. However, the Eye Institute reports that the high levels of vitamins and minerals in the AREDS formula are difficult to achieve from diet alone.
Anti-VEGF Medications
Patients with the late stage wet form of ARMD experience abnormal blood vessel growth under the macula that causes them to leak blood and fluid. This causes rapid vision loss. According to the Mayo Clinic, vascular endothelial growth factor antagonists, or anit-VEGF, medications help stop the growth of these new blood vessels by blocking the effects of a growth factor that the blood vessels need to thrive. The Mayo Clinic lists ranibizumab (Lucentis) and bevacizumab (Avastin) as newer--and more effective--medicines used to stop fluid leakage. Anti-VEGF medicines are injected directly into the eye and require repeat injections to maintain the benefits.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
According to the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, recent research supports that inflammations plays a role in ARMD. Two biomarkers of inflammation, called C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), are associated with increased risk of the disease. Treatments that reduce inflammation and levels of these markers may lower the risk. Medicines that may beneficial include statin medications such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor) and ritonavir (Norvir).
Medications Under Investigation
Investigational medicines for ARMD are those used during trials or medications that have already been approved for other uses. According to AllAboutVision.com, some doctors are injecting the cancer drug bevacizumab (Avastin) into the back of the eye. It works in a similar way to the Anti-VEGF medicines, but is less expensive. Researchers are also looking at what is called "endothelial growth factor (VEGF) Trap-Eye"---a drug treatment injected into the eye to stop the action of naturally occurring proteins that form abnormal blood vessels. A treatment called "iSONEP" involves injecting a therapeutic antibody into the eye to target abnormal blood vessel growth, inflammation and block formation of fibrous tissue. A drug called "MC-11-1" is being investigated as an agent to increase blood flow in the retina, and the antitumor drug Combrestastatin is being tested to prevent development of abnormal blood vessels.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Wet Macular Degeneration
- All About Vision: Macular Degeneration Treatment
- All About Vision: Macular Degeneration Treatments Investigational
- National Eye Institute: Facts About Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- "Age-Related Macular Degeneration; What You Should Know"; National Eye Institute; 2003
