Age-related macular degeneration: diagnosis and management.
BACKGROUND
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blind registration in Western Europe and the third leading cause of blindness worldwide.


METHODS
The management of AMD is discussed with a review of current and new treatments.


RESULTS
Although there is no treatment for advanced dry AMD (geographic atrophy), there have been considerable advances in the management of neovascular AMD (nAMD). Established therapies for nAMD include laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy (PDT), but these have largely been superseded by agents which block the action of vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF agents). Current preventative strategies involve cessation of smoking and use of specific nutritional supplements to reduce the risk of developing nAMD.


CONCLUSIONS
There have been exciting advances in the treatment of nAMD and increased understanding of the genetics and pathogenic mechanisms involved will hopefully lead to the development of new therapies in the future.
Cook
H L
HL
Moorfields Eye Hospital, City Road, London EC1V 2PD, UK. adnan.tufail@moorfields.nhs.uk
Patel
P J
PJ
Tufail
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001766:Blindness / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged