ARMD occurs when the retinal pigment epithelium, the insulating layer between the retina and layer of blood vessels behind the retina (choroid) stops functioning efficiently. In the case of dry macular degeneration the nerve cells of the retina degenerate. This is the commonest form of armd. The retina appears to have degenerated in certain areas and looks healthy in others. Dame to the macula is permanent. With dry armd the disease is slowly progressive. The rate of the progress may be extremely slow.
Wet macular degeneration is much less common. It coccurs when abnormal blood vessels develop under the retina and leak fluid or bleed under the retina. The fluid eventually disappears but the central vision is permanently damaged. There are other macular diseases and degenerations that rarely occur in younger patients. Some of these conditions are genetic, while others can be due to infections and inflammations or underlying conditions such as diabetes.
There is as yet no outright cure for armd, but some treatments may delay its progression or even improve vision.
The treatment for armd depends on whether the disease is in its early stage, dry form or in the more advanced, wet form.
There is currently no proven treatment for dry macular degeneration, however in some people with the condition, supplements containing vitamins , lutein or certain trace elements such as zinc or selenium, may slow the progress of the disease.
The treatment for wet macular degeneration is aimed at stopping abnormal blood vessel growth. The treatment can include the usage of laser or an injection to seal or shrink leaky blood vessels and inhibit their growth.