Macular Degeneration Surgery: What it is, What to Expect, Benefits and More

Posted by nishimj on January 5th, 2021

Macular degeneration is also commonly known as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). This is because it develops as you advance in age. It occurs when the macula, a small central portion of the retina, begins to wear down.

Here's an in-depth guide by Asia Retina staff on how you can prevent and detect macular degeneration https://asiaretina.com/age-related-macular-degeneration-treatment/. It is important to note that there are two types of AMD; the Wet AMD and Dry AMD.

Here's the difference; in wet AMD, new defective blood vessels grow behind your retina and then leak. When blood and other fluids seep into your retina, it bulges out and ceases to work properly.

In dry AMD, small cell debris deposits known as drusen appear between your retinal layers. As the drusen accumulate, they cause your macular layers to split apart, thus making them dry and thin. Geographic atrophy is an advanced dry AMD disorder.

Macular degeneration is a severe eye disorder requiring a swift medical response as it's known to only worsen with time. If left untreated, it may cause severe or permanent vision loss.

Is There Surgery for Macular Degeneration?

This chronic eye condition is often managed with medications or vitamin supplements that are injected into the eye. The choice of treatment, in this case, will largely depend on the type of macular degeneration you're trying to manage.

There are also surgeries for macular degeneration disorder, but majorly recommended in extreme cases. The AMD surgery your ophthalmologist may recommend will also depend on the type of macular degeneration disease.

·       Wet Macular Degeneration Surgery

There are two approaches when it comes to wet macular degeneration surgery. Your eye specialist may use laser surgery to burn and seal the leaky blood vessels or activate a medication that's given intravenously.

Now, if the ophthalmologist decides to burn and seal the leaky blood vessels to manage this condition, they will focus the laser light energy on the defective blood vessels at the back of your eyes. One of the risks that come with this treatment is possible loss of vision.

Because of the risk of vision loss, laser burn is majorly considered in cases where the bleeding vessels are at the back of the eye, they are not drying up with injections, and are not close to your center of vision. Alternatively, it may also be recommended if you cannot make it back to the clinic every four to six weeks for injections, and the eye specialist wishes to stop the bleeding with just a single treatment.

If the ophthalmologist recommends activating a medication that's administered to you intravenously to manage AMD, they will use another laser procedure known as photodynamic therapy (PDT). For this procedure, they will use an infrared or cold laser to activate the medication.

Some of the risks that may come with PDT include losing cells in the eye area that received the treatment. Ideally, PDT may only be recommended if you have an AMD condition that doesn't respond to the retina's injections.

·       Dry Macular Degeneration Surgery

Macular degeneration surgery may only be recommended if you're struggling with rare cases of advanced dry macular degeneration disorder; geographic atrophy. For this procedure, your eye specialist will remove your eye's natural lens and replace it with a pea-sized telescope behind the iris.

This telescope works by enlarging retinal images of the central field of vision and then focusing them on healthy areas of your retina that have not been affected by AMD. Some of the risks that may come with this telescope include double vision, reduced peripheral vision, or swelling of the cornea.

How do you prepare for Macular Degeneration Surgery?

Typically, your preparation for this procedure will largely depend on the type of AMD surgery you'll be having. As you'd probably expect, your ophthalmologist will give you the essential guidelines to follow.

Here are a few things you can expect;

If you're going to have the telescope implant for dry AMG, it may be necessary to avoid drinks or food before the procedure. Depending on your medical history, there are some medications your eye physician may recommend that you stop.

During the procedure, the eye doctor will use a numbing agent to minimize the discomfort you'd feel when implanting the telescope. That implies that you will be conscious but won't feel any pain.

When that's done, the ophthalmologist will recommend special eye drops, which be helpful in minimizing the burning sensation, swelling, and avoiding infections. Importantly, you will need to go through a rehabilitation phase where you'll get used to using the device.

If you're going to have cold or thermal laser surgery for AMD, you may not need to avoid food or stop your medications. For this procedure, you will be given eye drops, which will cause your eyes to dilate and numb them in the process.

The eye specialist will then place a special contact lens in the eye(s) and help you rest your head in preparation for the procedure. Both cold and thermal laser surgeries for AMD are quick, and you will not require any special eye drops following your treatment.

Wrapping Up

Macular degeneration surgery is effective in reducing the effects of this disorder and helping you not lose your vision completely. If you suspect that you or your loved one is predisposed to this disorder, contact us today to schedule an eye exam.