Treatment

Macular degeneration

AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration)

Macular degeneration is an age-related condition affecting central vision, with two forms: dry (characterised by yellow protein deposits, or drusen, under the macula) and wet (where abnormal blood vessels leak fluid and blood, causing distortion and blurring). The macula, located at the retina鈥檚 centre, plays a crucial role in translating light into images, and both forms of degeneration can impact this function.

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What is it for?

Treating macular degeneration to preserve and improve central vision

What is macular degeneration treatment?

It is extremely important that your macular degeneration is diagnosed and treated early. If left for too long then it may not be possible to reverse the damage it will cause. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 important you monitor your central vision with the Amsler grid and book an appointment as a matter of urgency if you notice vision changes.

If caught early, approximately 1 in 3 patients will see improvement in their vision and more than 90% will maintain their vision.

Depending on the type of macular degeneration you have, there are different treatments that can be used to help slow the progression of the condition and protect your vision from further damage. Although, symptoms can still return even after successful treatment.

Treatments can include a combination of different lifestyle changes, supplements, medication and even surgery.

Macular degeneration treatments

At AOA体育平台 Eye Centre, we have specialist ophthalmic consultants and facilities to slow the progression of macular degeneration and protect your vision from further damage.

If you find out you have early AMD or wet or dry AMD, your doctor may recommend making some lifestyle changes to slow the progression of the condition. These include:

  • refraining from smoking
  • monitoring your blood pressure (and treating as necessary)
  • leading a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise
  • maintaining a healthy weight
  • eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet high in dark leafy greens, yellow fruits, vegetables and fish

There is currently no treatment for dry AMD. However, some research has found that supplementing with a combination of vitamins and minerals may slow the progression of dry AMD. These include:

  • vitamin C
  • vitamin E
  • zinc
  • copper
  • lutein
  • xanthines
  • 尾-carotene (except if you are a smoker as it can increase the risk of lung cancer)

Anti-VEGF injections can be used to prevent vision loss in wet AMD. 

VEGF is a protein produced by cells in your body that produces new blood vessels and causes fluid leakage. Anti-VEGF stops your body from developing new blood vessels and leaking fluid into the eye.

Anti-VEGF therapy is administered directly into the eye using a fine needle. You will need to have the injections repeated regularly, though your doctor will advise of your treatment plan based on your condition.

Anti-VEGF recovery timeline & aftercare 

You will be given lubricating eye drops after each treatment to ease any irritation in your eye. You will then be able to resume your normal activities shortly after the procedure. There may be some irritation from the antiseptic used but this will settle with time and the lubricants will help.

Typically, anti-VEGF treatment can take a few weeks to a few months to produce any noticeable improvements.

Photodynamic therapy and laser photocoagulation use a laser to target, destroy and seal additional blood vessels in your eye. As a result, this is only a treatment option for wet macular degeneration. Your consultant may decide to combine this treatment with anti-VEGF injections.

If you have advanced dry macular degeneration that is severely affecting your vision, you may be recommended telescopic lens surgery.

During this procedure, your surgeon implants a telescopic lens in your eye. A telescopic lens is a small plastic tube filled with lenses to magnify both your distance and close-up vision, though it has a very narrow field of view.

This is typically performed as a day procedure, meaning you鈥檒l be able to go home on the same day. The whole procedure typically takes between an hour to an hour and a half.

Telescopic lens surgery recovery timeline & aftercare

You will be sent home with antibiotic eye drops to prevent an infection in your eye and will then need to return to the clinic on a few occasions so that your doctor can assess your healing.

However, you should expect to see a gradual improvement in your vision over the next few weeks and months.

* We offer fast appointments Monday - Friday only.

Macular degeneration diagnosis include:

  • Visual acuity tests 鈥� using eye charts with letters and figures to assess the clarity of your vision
  • Amsler grid 鈥� a checkerboard grid with black lines on a white background. If your vision has been affected by macular degeneration, the lines may appear wavy or blurred, or you may not see some of them at all
  • Dilated eye exam 鈥� your doctor will put eye drops in your eye to widen (dilate) your pupil. This will enable them to look at the back of your eye using a bright light to check for evidence of drusen on your macula
  • Optical coherence tomography 鈥� a non-invasive imaging technique that can create a high-definition map of your retina to allow your doctor to look for drusen or leaking blood vessels
  • Fluorescein angiography 鈥� a special dye is injected into your arm. When it passes through the blood vessels in the retina, pictures are taken using a special camera to allow your doctor to see any leakage under your macula
HOLD

Why choose AOA体育平台 Eye Centre?

Unparalleled, outstanding eye care

AOA体育平台 Eye Centre provides the highest standards of eye care. Our team of expert ophthalmologists work in partnership with world leaders and experts from all aspects of medicine, combining state-of-the-art diagnostics with cutting-edge therapies to deliver a best-in-class service to a global audience.

Personal care, every time

Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our clinicians, nurses and support teams are dedicated to providing bespoke care, centred around our patients. They鈥檒l be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care around you and giving you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you鈥檙e in the best hands.

Effortlessly simple

Our Eye Centre simplifies your path to eye health. We work together as one to guide you through each step of your experience, with complexities unravelled and answers readily to hand. Your personal treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on yourself.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally.

Alternatively, you can pay for yourself (self-pay). If you are paying for yourself, we have finance options available with .

Find out more about paying for your treatment here.

To book an appointment, call us today on: 0203 553 3670

Get in touch

Book an appointment at AOA体育平台 Eye Centre, home to world-class consultants and state-of-the-art diagnostics, located in the heart of Harley Street. Call us today on: +44 (0)203 553 3670 or enquire online.