|
Research and Experimental Treatments for Macular Degeneration
Investigations and clinical testing are ongoing in the development of future treatments for macular degeneration. Some experimental treatments currently being researched include, but are not limited to, the following:
Pharmaceutical
Pharmaceutical research examines the use of drugs to assist the retina to heal and develop new cells by
- controlling blood vessel growth (example: Macugen from Pfizer);
- repairing leakage of fluid and blood from blood vessels (example: Anecortave Acetate from Alcon).
Radiation
Radiation therapy research examines the use of radiation to stop bleeding and leakage in the vessels under the macula.
Surgical
Surgical research examines the use of surgery to:
- remove abnormal blood vessels, scar tissue, or blood from under the retina before they cause harm to the macula (submacular surgery);
- move the center of the macula away from damaged subretinal tissues (macular translocation).
Transplants
- Retinal cell transplant research examines the use of transplanting newer, healthy retinal cells to replace damaged retinal cells.
- Stem cell transplant research examines the transplant of stem cells to generate new retinal cells.
Lasers
- Laser research for dry macular degeneration examines the use of lasers to eliminate drusen in patients with the dry form.
- Feeder vessel research examines the use of pinpoint lasers to close feeder vessels - i.e. microscopic blood vessels that "feed" the leaking blood vessel network in wet macular degeneration cases.
Transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT)
Transpupillary thermotherapy research examines the use of long-wavelength infrared light to decrease blood vessel leakage.
Discuss with your retinal doctor the treatment options that are appropriate for you.
By Eleanor E. Faye, MD, FACS; Michael Fischer, OD, FAAO; Sarah Lloyd; Karen Seidman, MPA; and Cynthia Stuen, DSW