Macugen - Macular Degeneration Treatment
Macugen is an FDA-approved treatment for the wet form of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). AMD is a slowly progressing condition where new blood vessels grow on the macula, which is the central part of the retina. These new blood vessels are weak and often leak blood, causing damage to the light-sensitive tissue of the macula. As a result, a patient’s vision gradually deteriorates, which might lead to complete vision loss. AMD mostly affects older people, and it is the leading cause of blindness for people over 65.
While Macugen cannot cure AMD, it can slow or stop the growth of the abnormal blood vessels that damage the retinal tissue. In this way, Macugen can halt the process of vision loss. In order to preserve as much vision as possible, it is very important to detect AMD and start Macugen therapy early. Our experienced doctors can diagnose AMD even before the patient notices any vision loss. They use advanced Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) equipment, fluorescein angiograms and fundus photos of the retina for this purpose.
Visit our contact page to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced eye doctors who can perform a complete evaluation of your eye health, diagnose any vision problems and prescribe the most appropriate treatment.
How Does Macugen Work?
The wet form of AMD is caused by a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Macugen works by blocking the VEGF, which in turn slows or stops the growth of the abnormal blood vessels and thus minimizes damage to your sight. Macugen is administered by an injection. The doctor first numbs the surface of the eye with a special medication and applies an antibiotic to prevent infection. Then he or she uses a very fine needle inserted near the edge of the eye to deliver Macugen to the retina. The procedure is typically completely painless and needs to be repeated every six weeks for up to two years.
Studies have shown that the best vision preservation results are achieved when the Macugen therapy is started in an early stage of AMD. This is why it is important to consult with one of our experienced doctors as soon as you suspect that you might have a vision problem. Our doctors are skilled in early detection of AMD and administration of this convenient, effective AMD treatment.
The specialists at Eye Health Partners are dedicated to providing the latest technologies, including Macugen and Lucentis to treat patients with macular degeneration. They also provide treatments for other retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy. To schedule a consultation, visit our contact page to schedule a consultation with one of our Montgomery, Cullman, Columbia, Gadsden, Jasper, Mobile, Nashville, Murfreesboro Oxford-Anniston or Birmingham retina specialists.
