When it comes tomacular degeneration, there are some unique surgical options to consider.
Science Photo Library / Getty Images
What Is Macular Degeneration Surgery?
There are a variety of possible approaches to macular degeneration that may prove helpful.
Science Photo Library / Getty Images
But in some instances these are useful in late macular degeneration cases regardless of the bang out.
Here’s what to know.
Since the approach is preventative, this is usually a first-line treatment.
The idea is to preserve the remaining vision.
For the procedure, you will be comfortably lying faceup.
With the injection itself, you should feel nothing but a little pressure.
With this approach, the dye is injected into your arm and allowed to circulate to your eyes.
In the eye, this collects in the leaky abnormal blood vessels.
Contraindications
Photodynamic therapy is not used for dry macular degeneration.
While this is a targeted therapy, there still can be risks.
These include:
This is also an outpatient procedure.
Your eyes will be numbed so you don’t feel anything.
You may also be given medicine to help you relax.
A light-sensitive medicine will be injected into your body.
The doctor will then cover your eye.
confirm you ask someone to come with you so they can drive you home shortly after the procedure.
If you must venture out, you should wear protective clothing and sunglasses.
While this can’t cure macular degeneration, it can help to preserve some remaining vision.
But it is not without riskand can in the process lead to some visionloss in some cases.
This is an option only for those with wet macular degeneration.
It is contraindicated, or typically advised against, for:
Like any procedure, this can have risks.
You’ll be seated in a chair for the procedure.
It will take about 30 minutes for the procedure to be complete.
Once the procedure is over, you should be able to leave soon after.
However, expect your vision to be blurry for the first day.
So far results here have been extremely limited.
However, there is no telling how you might respond since each case is unique.
This procedure can’t be done if there isn’t enough healthy retina.
Laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy both use lasers to destroy abnormal new blood vessels.
However, they go about this differently.
Submacular surgery removes the abnormal blood vessels before they can leak blood onto the retina and cause damage there.
Retinal translocation and placement of an implantable miniature telescope aim to maximize vision for those with advanced macular degeneration.
But heres an idea of what to expect.
You should avoid wearing contact lenses or any makeup that can contaminate the area.
Likewise, avoid using any skin lotions on your face.
Still, you may be asked to avoid eating.
Also, expect any more involved surgery such as retinal translocation surgery to be performed under general anesthesia.
Your doctor will inform you as to what follow-up appointments are needed.
Your vision will be blurry for a couple of days.
Do not drive until your vision has cleared.
You will also need to protect your eyes from sunlight during that time.
In the case of intravitreal injections, they can help keep abnormal blood vessels from forming.
Different techniques can destroy leaking blood vessels, while others can help to maximize vision.
Be sure to check with your practitioner to determine which is ultimately best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
That depends upon what procedure youve had done.
But further study is needed.
This should be discussed with your practitioner.
Such spots will resolve, but may remain for up to five days.
Surgery for macular degeneration can mean different things.
Fleckenstein M, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Chakravarthy U.Age-related macular degeneration: a review.JAMA.
2020;9(1):191-203. doi:10.1007/s40123-020-00230-4
Optometrists connection.How do anti-VEGF injections work?
Bright Focus Foundation.Injections for wet macular degeneration: what to expect.
University of Michigan Health.Photodynamic therapy for age-related macular degeneration.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Photodynamic therapy for age-related macular degeneration.
Review of Ophthalmology.Macular degeneration: Is laser still relevant?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Laser photocoagulation for age-related macular degeneration.
Maculardegeneration.net.Surgery for macular degeneration.
2017;12(5).
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0177241
Eastern Suburbs Eye Specialists.Macular translocation surgery.
Prevent Blindness.Living with low vision.
Bright Focus Foundation.The implantable miniature telescope for macular degeneration.
Chan TL.Implantable miniature telescope.Cataract Refract Surg Today.
University of Michigan Health.Laser photocoagulation for age-related macular degeneration.
Maculardegeneration.net.Is it safe to have cataract surgery with macular degeneration.
Macula Center.Eylea macular degeneration treatment.
National Eye Institute.Treatments for wet AMD (advanced neovascular AMD).
