Age related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the commonest cause of blind registration in developed countries including UK. It is a disease which effects the central area of the back of eye which is called macula. It causes loss of central vision while your peripheral vision is unaffected. You are not able to see fine details, whether you are looking at something close or far.

Two types of AMD

Dry AMD

This form is the commonest type of AMD. About 80% (8 out of 10) of people who have AMD have the dry form. In this type one loses vision slowly, Presently there is no treatment for this type of AMD. This form is the commonest type of AMD. About 80% (8 out of 10) of people who have AMD have the dry form. In this type one loses vision slowly, Presently there is no treatment for this type of AMD. However patients with macular scarring can benefit from Scharioth Macular Lens (SML). The SML technology has been developed to enhance the quality of life of patients with macular scarring due to dry AMD.

Wet AMD

This form is less common but much more serious. In this type abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina which may leak and bleed causing scarring of the macula. You lose vision faster with wet AMD than with dry AMD.

Wet AMD can be treated with anti-VEGF (anti vascular endothelial growth factors) drug injections which are injected into the eye. These anti-VEGF drugs can stabilize vision and in some cases can improve vision. However to achieve the best results it is critical that the treatment for wet AMD is started as soon as possible. If there is delay in the treatment of wet AMD then it can lead to untreatable macular scar and permanent loss of central vision.

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Treatment offered for Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration

All Private Eye Surgery consultants (Mr Majid, Mr Hasan and MrAftab) have a special interest in wet age related macular degeneration (ARMD) and have extensive experience in treating this sight threatening disease.

Mr Majid and Mr Aftab are one of the few ophthalmologists in UK who have done Fellowship in both medical and surgical retina.

He has extensive experience in treating this sight threatening disease. He set up the first ARMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration) treatment centre in Humberside, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire in 2002.

Mr Aftab underwent sub specialist training in medical and surgical retina from ‘Centre for Eye Research Australia’ and ‘Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital’ in Melbourne and Mr Majid underwent sub specialist training in medical and surgical retina from ‘Bristol Eye Hospital’ in Bristol.

Mr Aftab set up the first ARMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration) treatment centre in Humberside, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire in 2002.

In the NHS the treatment of wet ARMD is not available until the vision goes down to 6/12 in the affected eye. As per DVLA (Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency) regulations one needs a vision around 6/12 with both eyes open to be legally allowed to drive. Private Eye Surgery consultants offer treatment of wet AMD even when the vision is better than 6/12 and this has been shown to be the best practice. A vast majority of patients who had their treatment of wet AMD started before their vision deteriorated to 6/12 maintained better than 6/12 vision i.e. have maintained driving vision.