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Macular Degeneration Treatments
Macular Degeneration Treatment
Our macular degeneration approach depends on whether the condition is found in its dry or wet form. Our doctors offer particular expertise with current treatments, including some not widely available. They are developing additional therapies for unmet needs.
Dry Treatments
Unfortunately, there are no approved treatments for dry degeneration. But evidence suggests that certain vitamins can slow the condition’s progression. We also provide careful monitoring, and our clinical trials study new medicines to inject into the eye and the use of stem cells.
Wet Treatments
We offer several treatments for wet degeneration:
- Injections: We try to prevent the formation of new blood vessels by injecting the eye with medications. We were one of the earliest clinical trial sites for this approach, gaining deep experience and particular knowledge about when to use the drugs and when not to. The drugs block a protein (vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF) needed for blood vessel growth and include:
- Avastin (bevacizumab)
- Eylea (aflibercept)
- Lucentis (ranibizumab)
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT): During PDT, a special drug called a photosensitizer travels to the unwanted blood vessels. A special low-power (so-called cool) laser then activates the drug so it can destroy the blood vessels. This approach is useful for difficult-to-treat cases and is not widely available elsewhere.
- Clinical trials: We are studying the use of stem cells to treat macular degeneration, as well as new injections whose effects last longer than the medications now used.
Learn more about our Byers Eye Institute.