How is macular degeneration treated?
There currently is no proven treatment for
macular degeneration. Some people have advocated that Zinc and Lutein can slow the
progression of macular degeneration. Zinc can be found in common vitamin compounds.
Lutein can be found in certain green, leafy vegetables (e.g. kale, collards, spinach,
turnips, etc.). Lutein can also be taken as a supplemental pill or in vitamin compounds
(such as Ocuvite, I-Caps, Centrum, etc.). If you have macular degeneration, your eyes
need to be monitored regularly because the dry form can become the wet form.
If you have the wet form, sometimes laser or light
(photodynamic therapy) can be performed to keep the damage from spreading. However, the
moderate to severe loss of vision associated with this form is usually not reversible.
In severe, bilateral cases of macular degeneration, more drastic surgeries have been
performed (such as subretinal surgery to remove the bleeding and scarring or surgery to
rotate the abnormal part of the macula away and to rotate in a healthier part of the
macula). These surgeries have variable and unpredictable results.
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