Age-related macular degeneration treatment: current view (literature review)

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – is a damage of the macula, accompanied by a significant and irreversible loss of central vision. It is a major cause of blindness and visual impairment in older adults (>60 years). Damage of the retina always includes both eyes, though the intensity can vary. Early AMD is defined as the presence of drusen and retinal pigmentary abnormalities (RPE); late AMD includes dry AMD (geographic atrophy of the RPE in the absence of neovascular AMD) or neovascular AMD  (detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium, hemorrhages, and/or scars). Unfortunately, the etiology and pathogenesis of AMD aren’t fully understood up to now, so treatment options are limited and not always effective. This article briefly reviews the options of initial and late forms of AMD treatment