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Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration Treatment in Livingston and Morristown, NJ

Retina Vitreous Consultants has established the Macular Degeneration Center of New Jersey in our offices in Morristown and Livingston as a resource for the ever-growing portion of the maturing population with both wet and dry forms of macular degeneration. Complete primary diagnostic evaluation, therapeutic pharmacologic and laser intervention, review of potential inclusion in clinical trial research, and referral for low vision rehabilitative services are provided at our Center. We are the pioneer group in the entire state of New Jersey to offer the surgically Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT- Vision Care Ophthalmic Technologies) for the treatment of severe vision loss due to macular degeneration. We are also actively involved in geographic atrophy and dry macular degeneration clinical trials. Please schedule an appointment to determine if you or a family member is a candidate for this recently FDA- approved technology.

Macular Degeneration Scan

Early Dry Age Related Macular Degeneration- Note multiple fine drusen in macula.

What is Macular Degeneration?

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the number one cause of vision loss amongst Caucasians in the United States. Macular degeneration will rarely result in total blindness because it does not affect the peripheral vision. Possible risk factors contributing to more severe forms of AMD may include cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, dietary habits, and family history. Regular eye exams are highly recommended to detect macular degeneration early and to begin intervention, if necessary, to prevent permanent vision loss.

What are Symptoms of AMD?

  • A gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly
  • A gradual loss of color vision
  • Distorted or blurry vision
  • A dark or empty area appearing in the center or just off the center of your vision

An Amsler grid is a very effective tool that you may use in the home or office to detect any subtle changes in your vision.

There are two kinds of AMD: “wet” (neovascular/exudative) and “dry” (atrophic). Although only 10-15% of individuals with AMD have the wet form of the disease, the majority of patients with profound central vision loss, however, suffer from this form of AMD. Neovascular means “new blood vessels.” Accordingly, wet AMD occurs when fragile new blood vessels grow from under the macula and cause bleeding, swelling, and scar tissue formation that ultimately leads to damage to the macula and subsequent central vision loss. Anti-angiogenic therapy and laser surgery are effective in reducing the severity of vision loss. In many cases, stabilization of the disease and visual improvement may occur if a patient is properly diagnosed and treated in the appropriate fashion.

Dry AMD is much more common than the wet variant of the disease. Patients with dry AMD do not experience new blood vessel growth. Symptoms of dry AMD may also include blurry and distorted vision. Clinical findings such as thinning (atrophy) of the retina and its underlying supporting cells, the retinal pigment epithelium, as well as, deposits under the retina called drusen, may be found in individuals with dry AMD. Vision loss with dry AMD is slower and often less severe than with wet AMD.

A recent study published by the National Eye Institute (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) has found that a specific combination of high dose anti-oxidants and zinc taken as an oral preparation may reduce the risk of vision loss in certain patients with macular degeneration. ARED vitamins are available for purchase at our office.

Retina-Vitreous Consultants is an active participant in multiple national and international collaborative clinical research trials investigating the use of intraocular drug preparations in reducing the severity of macular degeneration.

Wet AMD

72 year old man with wet AMD of the right eye. Note blood within the macula.

Wet AMD post Lucentis

Same eye with complete resolution of blood following serial injections of Lucentis.

How do you treat Macular Degeneration?

The treatment of neovascular or “wet” age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has evolved significantly in the past several years. Anti-angiogenic therapy is now considered the treatment of choice for patients with wet AMD. Scientists have identified a protein known as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that is found in unusually high concentrations in the eyes of patients with wet AMD. VEGF is “angiogenic” in nature, as it is believed to be a major factor in the development of the abnormal blood vessel and scar tissue network that may be observed under the retina in patients with neovascular AMD. Drugs such as Lucentis, Eylea, Avastin, Vabysmo, Eylea HD, are injected directly into the eye, and are effective in reducing the concentrations of VEGF within the eye. These formulations are “anti-angiogenic,” in that they foster regression of abnormal blood vessel and scar tissue growth under the retina thus minimizing the swelling and bleeding that causes vision loss. Stabilization of wet AMD and even improvement of vision are hopeful benefits of anti-angiogenic therapy.

Our doctors will review with you the differences between the various drugs to allow you to make an informed decision about your treatment for macular degeneration. Retina Vitreous Consultants is an active participant in national and international clinical research trials investigating the efficacy of many of these drugs in the treatment of neovascular AMD. There is particular excitement in the scientific community about potential new agents and interventions such as Vabysmo, and Susvimo, and Eylea HD, that are FDA approved and able to  extend the usual interval between successive treatments in patients with AMD. Stem cell therapy, gene therapy, and combination therapies involving various established modalities are being investigated in clinical research with the eventual hope of reducing the risk of vision loss.

Dry AMD 2013
Dry AMD 2013 bw

Dry Age Related Macular Degeneration with atrophy in a 75 year old woman in 2013.

Dry AMD 2019
Dry AMD 2019 bw

Photographs of the same patient taken in January 2019. Note the progression of atrophy. Clinical research trials investigating stem cell therapy, gene therapy and pharmacotherapy are being developed with the common goal to reduce the risk of disease progression and vision loss.

Intravitreal Injections

Intravitreal injections are performed in the office for the treatment of macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, retinal vein occlusion, and intraocular inflammatory conditions. The procedures are done under sterile technique and topical anesthesia. Patients describe only minimal, if any, discomfort. Many patients, in fact, come to our offices early in the morning to receive their scheduled injections, and then successfully return to work following their procedure. Intravitreal injections are usually done on a once per month basis until stabilization of your retinal condition is realized. Our doctors will discuss with you your progress based on both clinical examination and serial retinal scanning via optical coherence tomography. Increasing the interval between successive injections and even eliminating the need for additional intervention is an important goal of therapy.

 

For Macular Degeneration treatment in Morristown or Livingston, NJ, contact Retina Vitreous Consultants today!

Locations

Livingston Office
349 East Northfield Road, Suite 100
Livingston, NJ 07039
973-716-0123
Map of Our Livingston Office
Morristown Office
95 Madison Avenue; Suite A03
Morristown, NJ 07960
973-605-1114
Map of Our Livingston Office

Contact Us

All emails are checked at least once per business day. If you need immediate assistance or wish to discuss your appointment, please call our offices.

Medical advice or diagnosis will not be made through this function. Any medical decision making can only be made and given during a scheduled appointment with one of our physicians.