Getting the best AMD treatment results requires some important considerations. Marc Michelson, M.D. of Alabama Eye & Cataract Center shared information about predictive factors and getting the best results for treatment of age related macular degeneration. “There are now a number of long term clinical trials that demonstrate that there can be variability in patient responses to the Lucentis® injections used to treat age related macular degeneration,” said Dr. Michelson. “By using this knowledge we are able to establish a number of diagnostic and treatment parameters that are helpful to optimize treatment and monitoring regimens in order to get patients get the best possible results,” Dr. Michelson explained.
Here are some important factors and considerations that we know today:
· The initial visual acuity is not a good indicator for patients treated with monthly injections of Lucentis®. But, a poorer initial visual acuity seems to predict greater overall improvement.
· Smaller areas of blood vessel growth seem to respond better to treatment.
· If treatment begins BEFORE any hemorrhage has occurred there is usually a more favorable result.
· The visual acuity found between the 3 and 5 month visit seems to predict about where the 12 month visit acuity will end up.
· If there is a recurrence of subretinal fluid there is usually a negative effect on the long term visual recovery and functioning.
While there can be no guarantees, by using this information we can work to hopefully avoid the catastrophic vision loss from Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). YOUR role is to be consistent in scheduling routine eye exams if you are over 50 years old or even earlier if you have a family history of AMD-and should you notice symptoms including distortion of your vision, waviness or curving of lines or straight surfaces or a sudden change or spots of any kind, please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930 for an immediate appointment. The key to maintaining eye health and vision is early detection, diagnosis and treatment.
If you or someone you know has a family history of macular degeneration or is concerned about macular degeneration it is important to schedule regular eye exams by calling Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.
Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists & Corneal Specialists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and fitting of eyeglasses and eyewear.
