The Macular degeneration is the type of eye disease that develops in the older people. It is one of the major causes of vision loss in countries like the USA, especially among the age group of 65 and above. According to the Archives of Ophthalmology, nearly 1.75 million people were identified with the age related macular degeneration. And as the older people constitute a large portion of the population, the AMD, age related Macular Degeneration, and related vision loss is a major growing problem in the USA.
The macular degeneration takes place when blood vessels grow under retina, then leak and bleed. This in result can cause a blinding scare. As the macular primarily is affected in the AMD, the central vision loss may also suffer. The macular degeneration can be of two types, wet and dry.
The dry macular degeneration is the old age syndrome and can be considered as the primary stage of the disease. It can be described as the result of aging and thinning of the macular tissues. In this case the yellowish spots begin to accumulate from deposits or debris from deteriorating tissue primarily in the area of the macula. Dry macular degeneration may result in gradual vision loss.
Wet macular degeneration develops when the blood vessels grow beneath the retina and start leaking blood and fluid. This leakage causes permanent damage to light-sensitive retinal cells, which die off and create blind spots in central vision. The wet macular degeneration may be of two types– classic and occult.
Researchers have been trying to find out ways to prevent the problem. In a recent interview with the media, Dr. Thomas Ciulla of the Midwest Eye Institute said that the Genentech has developed an antibody to prevent the growth of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor(VEGF), a primary factor responsible for the disease. They have developed the antibody against the VEGF that is given intravenously. The drug, developed by the Genentech is called Lucentis. It can be described as the small protein for the eye. Lucentis costs $ 2000 a dose. Also they have developed another drug called Avastin, for cancer. The researchers are hopeful for the invention. Meanwhile, doctors have tested it successfully.
Source: IndyStar.com
Filed under Eye Diseases, Eye Treatment, Improved Vision, Macular Degeneration | Tags: Dry macular degeneration, eye, Eye institute, Lucentis, vascular endothelial growth factor, Wet macular degeneration | Comment Below
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