About Macular Degeneration

Vitamins, antioxidants, and zinc: Nutritional supplementation with vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene with zinc decreases the likelihood of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration in some people. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) was a major clinical trial sponsored by the National Eye Institute. Results were published in 2001. AREDS researchers recommended that patients at risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration and those without contraindications, such as smoking, should consider taking antioxidant and zinc supplements. The AREDS formulation is specific and different from a regular daily multivitamin. Occuvite PreserVision is a product that contains the AREDS formulation.

Anti-VEGF therapy: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) causes new blood vessels to develop and increases leakage and inflammation of blood vessels. Pegaptanib (Macugen), a new drug approved by the FDA in December 2004, blocks VEGF and helps stabilize vision. Pegaptanib was found to be beneficial in treating both classic and occult subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes (the areas of abnormal growth of new blood vessels). The drug is administered by an ophthalmologist as an injection into the eye.

• Anecortave acetate (Retaane) is an investigational drug aimed at inhibiting the abnormal growth of blood vessels (neovascularization) in macular degeneration. The drug has the advantage of being injected behind the eye rather than into the eye and requires less frequent administration (every six months).
  
  
• Bevacizumab (Avastin) is another anti-VEGF drug that is currently approved for cancer of the colon or rectum. It is being investigated for intravitreal use (inside the eye) in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization.
  
  
• Squalamine lactate (Evizon) is an investigational drug that blocks signaling of angiogenic (blood vessel) growth factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). According to one study, this drug may have a role in the treatment of human choroidal neovascular membrane formation. It is administered intravenously.
  
  
• Ranibizumab (Lucentis, formerly called RhuFab) is an investigational anti-VEGF antibody being tested for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. It is administered inside the eye. Preliminary studies have shown improved vision in patients with some forms of wet age-related macular degeneration.
• Additional therapies are being evaluated and tested, including intraocular injections of corticosteroids.