Age-related macular degeneration can be regarded as one of the top causes of vision loss in people over 50. Wet AMD can lead to gradual vision impairment, AMD causes rapid vision loss. People with AMD lose their central vision and are unable to see things directly in front of them, leading to daily struggles in feats that require diligence and discretion.
Your ophthalmologist might treat your wet AMD or other retina diseases with medications and drugs known as anti-VEGF. According to reported studies, anti-VEGF treatment improves vision in about one-third of people who are treated with it. However, its effects can range from patient to patient, depending upon a mild improvement in the vision to stabilization of the vision.
The vascular endothelial growth factor is a protein produced by cells in your body. VEGF stimulates new blood vessels when your body needs them. But sometimes, due to an imbalance in the body’s working, abnormal blood vessels can grow in your eyes; they can further damage and harm your vision leading to low vision or blindness.
Conditions treatable with Anti-VEGF medicines
AntI-VEGF medicines block VEGF, slowing down the growth of blood vessels in the eye. These injections help delay the progress of damage from the abnormal growth of the blood vessels and slow vision loss. In some instances, these injections can improve vision as well. Following eye problems can be managed through Anti VEGF medicines.
- Wet age-related macular degeneration
- Swelling in the retina, known as macular edema
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Retinal vein occlusion
Over the years, Anti-VEGF treatments have progressed, but still, the three most prominent medications remain to be
- Avastin
- Lucentis
- Eyela
All of these have been proven over time, and ophthalmologists consider all three of these to be safe and effective treatments for retinal diseases. Studies over time have collectively suggested the significance of all three drugs in treating Wet AMD. With a lot of new research mid-way in a few years, patients would have way more treatment portions in the coming years.
The procedure for administering Anti VEGF treatment
- A preliminary cleaning is to prevent any kind of infection.
- Local anesthesia is administered to ensure the eye remains numb while being injected with the medicines.
- The ophthalmologist would inject the drug into the sclera using a surgically appropriate needle. The injection would be administered in such a way that scarring remains minimum and healing is faster.
- Once the treatment is done, the ophthalmologist might provide the patient with suitable medications to ensure that scarring heals correctly and no issues surface in the long run.
Stem Cell Therapy
Based on pre-clinical studies, Stem Cell Therapy can accomplish great results in the early stages of dry AMD since, at this stage, photoreceptors are well preserved, and disease progression is mainly limited to the RPE; treatment strategies can focus on reversing RPE dysfunction, which is comparatively easy to accomplish. For Stem cell therapy in India , Stem Cell Care India can help you in bringing betterment to your vision.
RPE transplantation is a more straightforward process than some of its closely similar procedures. The RPE can be derived from the stem cells and, with the help of structural and functional similarities, grown to be similar to that of the RPE in the eye. The RPE is then transplanted into the affected area; preclinical studies have attributed that improved visual function is achieved through the process.