Intralase is the safest method for creating the corneal flap. Using the IntraLase FS laser to create the corneal flap with a safe laser beam instead of a blade.
Macular Degeneration
What is macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration is a collection of disorders that impair central vision due
to the negative effects of damage and deterioration to the center of the retina.
The retina is located inside the eye, and the central portion (also known as the macula)
referred to here, is at the backmost part that sends perceived images to the brain
through the optic nerve. When this function of the eye is disrupted, the result equates to loss of vision.
What are the symptoms?
The inability to focus and clearly perceive images due to macular degeneration
creates major complications with every day activities. A person suffering from
macular degeneration, depending on the severity, is not able to drive a car, read,
or watch television because they lack the capacity to distinguish and interpret color,
and fine details. Tragically, this disease can be so severe that it even limits one’s
ability to recognize people by looking at their face since they can’t focus enough to
make out any features. The center of a face, image, or text in front is a blurred spot;
very much like a greasy smudge or fingerprint in the center of the lens in glasses
or sunglasses. Another visual disturbance results in a wavy distortion of lines.
Also, when it is light everything appears dull because the ability to perceive
contrast is significantly limited. Similarly, when it is dark it takes much longer
to adjust to the change in contrast, so people with macular degeneration have a
harder time working their way around obstacles.
Who is at the most risk?
Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that is the primary cause of
blindness in people over fifty. Actually, it affects over ten million American
adults; more than both cataracts and glaucoma. The main population of those
with macular degeneration consists of aging adults; it is noteworthy that macular
degeneration is more prevalent in whites than in blacks. From age 45 on, it is
very important for this target group to consult physicians regularly for all
age related health concerns, but especially to detect diseases like macular
degeneration early enough to maintain eye sight, and be prepared to deal
with later complications of the disorder and its detrimental effects on all
areas of life. After the age of 55 more than ten percent of the population
gets macular degeneration; however, after age 75 the risk of developing
this disorder triples. Even more significantly, those that have family
members where macular degeneration is present have a 50% chance of developing
the disease themselves (about four times the chance of those who do not).
It is also believed that people who partake in excessive sun exposure without
adequate protection of both the eyes specifically, and their skin have higher
risks of acquiring macular degeneration due to UV absorption. Additionally,
smokers and people with high blood pressure (hypertension) have stronger
correlations to developing macular degeneration than those who do not.
What causes macular degeneration?
Dreadfully, due to little funding for the research of this disease, there are no
concrete causes identified for macular degeneration. There is not sufficient
information to even establish the precise factors that result in the deterioration of the macula.
There are common traits that are exclusively related to macular degenration, such
as lesions (deformations) in the retina. It is known that this irregular structure
can not be caused by any other eye disease or disorder. Other beliefs include: environmental
factors, a deficiency in the immune system, and the existence of abnormal genes.
What are the different types of macular degeneration?
Standard Macular Degeneration (typically caused due to an inherited trait or condition)
Age Related Macular Degeneration (most common)
“Dry” Macular Degeneration: The dry form is the most diagnosed type of macular degeneration.
It is identified through signs in the retina of pigmentation, deformation, distortion,
and thinning. The positive side to dry macular degeneration is that these cases
less frequently result in complete loss of vision; the central vision is blurred
but peripheral function and ability to perceive light usually remain in tact.
Also, deterioration of vision is a slow process in patients labeled as having
dry macular degeneration.
“Wet” Macular Degeneration: Wet macular degeneration is the most
severe type of the disease. With wet macular degeneration, patients develop
irregular blood vessels that leak fluid/serum, fats, and blood cells into and
under the retina. The leakage then becomes scar tissues and deposits in the macula
resulting in sight disruption and loss of central vision. The scars are apparent as
dark spots referred to as scotoma. Wet macular degeneration requires more than topical
treatment such as laser or radiation in order to have any permanent affect on the disease.
Juvenile Macular Degeneration:
Any eye disease that impairs or affects the light perceptive cells in the center of the
retina resulting in dysfunction is labeled macular degeneration. Although these diseases
are under the category of macular degeneration, they are more accurately referred to as macular
dystrophies; ARMD is more degenerative in nature. These are typically rare and hereditary.
Stargardt’s macular dystrophy is the most prevalent (under 50, 000 cases diagnosed) form of
juvenile macular degeneration. Victims of Stargardt’s disease (named after German ophthalmologist
Karl Stargardt who first discovered it in the early 1900’s) usually lose their central vision
functions within the first twenty years of life. It is a genetic disorder that requires both
parents to be carriers of the defective gene. The parents themselves don’t even necessarily have
the disease themselves; they are merely the carrying agents. The specific gene has recently
been pinpointed and identified. This discovery will lead to; a better understanding,
earlier diagnosis/detection, and hopefully in the future, possible prevention.
Are there treatment options?
Some studies indicate that radiation therapy can help to treat some forms of macular degeneration
by wiping out blood vessels that can create fibrous tissue. There are hot laser treatment options
that create coagulation (clotting) of the blood vessels, as well to help slow down or prolong the
process of deterioration. There are indications that medicines that reduce cholesterol can help
lower the risk of developing ARMD or even in slowing its growth progress. In the future it may be
possible for retinal prosthetics to be implanted, but currently that concept is in the developing
stages and there is no certainty that it will work for macular degeneration, or even at all. However,
it is heartening for patients that medical and research advancements are being made in the right direction.
Being conscientious of daily diet can definitely help macular degeneration patients significantly
by keeping their overall body health at a closer to optimum state. Avoiding too much fat is a good
place to start. Most Americans consume over twice the recommended fat per day. This is possible
by reducing consumption of cheese, red meat and fatty substances like butter and grease. It is
always a good idea to eat higher levels of fresh and organic foods like fruit, vegetables, and
fish to obtain suggested levels of antioxidants, nutrients, vitamins (specifically zinc), etc.
Most Americans’ diets consist of highly processed, highly pasteurized food with high levels
of sugars and sodium. The more patients know about how to keep themselves healthy and what
foods can actually be beneficial in helping the body heal and protect itself, the better off
they are all around. So, essentially cliché statements such as; “an apple a day”, and that
carrots improve eye sight, etc. are rooted in truth.
Essentially, the earlier the disease is caught, the best chances a person has of maintaining
some eye sight and living a mostly normal life. Prevention is better than treatment.
There are support networks and resources for people suffering with the hardships of macular
degeneration which provide an outlet and a connection to others with the same problems.
Since there is no cure, regular consultations and visits to the ophthalmologist, taking
advantage of programs, and gaining as much knowledge on the subject as possible are the
best options for maintaining a healthy life.
LUCENTIS®
LUCENTIS® (ranibizumab injection) is a prescription medicine for the treatment of patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
LUCENTIS® is a breakthrough treatment for wet AMD that can do more than just help you maintain your vision. With LUCENTIS®, people with wet AMD may see their vision improve or keep the vision they have.
LUCENTIS® is an FDA-approved treatment specifically developed for the treatment of wet AMD.
Of patients in key clinical studies taking LUCENTIS® monthly...
Up to 40% of patients had a significant improvement of at least 3 more lines (15 letters) on the eye chart
70% of patients could see at least 1 more letter on the eye chart
95% of patients had their eyesight stay the same
Up to 40% of patients achieved vision of 20/40 or better
And did you know that LUCENTIS®...
Was specifically developed for use in the eye, and is FDA approved for the treatment of wet AMD?
Who is LUCENTIS® for?
LUCENTIS® (ranibizumab injection) is a prescription medicine for the treatment of patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Important LUCENTIS Safety Information
Like any prescription medication, LUCENTIS® is not for everyone. You should not use LUCENTIS® if you have an infection in or around the eye.
Like other injections given into the eye, serious eye infection (endophthalmitis) and detached retina have occurred with LUCENTIS®. Increases in eye pressure have been seen within 1 hour of an injection. Your eye doctor will monitor your eye pressure and eye health during the week after every injection. If your eye becomes red, sensitive to light, painful, or has a change in vision, you should seek immediate care from your eye doctor.
Although uncommon, conditions associated with eye- and non–eye-related blood clots (arterial thromboembolic events) may occur.
Serious side effects related to the injection procedure were rare. These included serious eye infection, detached retina, and cataract. Other uncommon serious side effects included inflammation inside the eye and increased eye pressure.
The most common eye-related side effects were red eye, eye pain, small specks in vision, the feeling that something is in your eye, and increased tears. The most common non–eye-related side effects were high blood pressure, nose and throat infection, and headache.
Please see the LUCENTIS full prescribing information. LUCENTIS® is for prescription use only. Individual results with LUCENTIS® may vary.
