Treatment and Prevention of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

In Australia, age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible visual loss in individuals over 50 years of age. The complication of choroidal neovascularisation is responsible for the majority of severe visual loss in age-related macular degeneration and current treatments concentrate on limiting the damage it causes. Until recently, argon laser photocoagulation was the only treatment for choroidal neovascularisation but collateral damage to the overlying retina has lead to newer treatments. Risk factor modification and prevention of age-related macular degeneration is also a growing area of research, with increased age, family history and smoking identified as major ris..