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Macugen® and Lucentis™ for the treatment of macular degeneration There are two types of macular degeneration - “wet” and “dry”. The “wet form” of macular degeneration develops in about 10-15% of patients who initially started out with the “dry form” of macular degeneration.
As a result of aging changes in your eye, your retina may have stopped getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function properly. In an attempt to increase the amount of oxygen, the retina has started to produce a substance called “Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor” (VEGF).
This substance is causing the formation of abnormal blood vessels underneath the retina. Unfortunately, these abnormal blood vessels create more problems than they solve and if left untreated, they will cause the loss of your central vision. You will not develop total loss of vision, but these abnormal blood vessels will cause you to lose your “straight ahead” or central vision.
What is Macugen®& Lucentis™?
They are both drug treatments to help control the abnormal blood vessels. They will help prevent the VEGF substance from working and stop the formation of abnormal blood vessels. They will also help decrease the leakage of fluid from existing blood vessels. The overall result is a decrease and stabilization in the formation of leaky blood vessels and stabilization of your vision loss.
How do we treat the eye with Macugen® and Lucentis™?
The medication is injected into the affected eye and the drug spreads throughout the inside of the eye, stopping the VEGF from working. The injection usually takes as little as 3-4 minutes to perform. Dr. Croley will numb the eye which may cause a slight burning sensation for about 2-3 seconds. Most patients tolerate the injection without any significant discomfort.
For best results, the treatments will need to be performed about every 6 weeks and will need to be continued to stabilize your vision. The “wet form” of macular degeneration is a chronic disease and will require continued treatment just like high blood pressure or diabetes.
Future treatments will consist of checking your vision and then injecting the medication after dilation of your eyes. This appointment should only take about 30 minutes. At Dr. Croley’s discretion we will perform a complete eye examination. It will usually take several treatments before the medication’s maximum benefit is achieved.
Is Macgen® and Lucentis™ safe?
There is a slight risk of infection due to the need to perform an injection into the eye. The treatment may cause problems such as glaucoma, cataract formation or inflammation within the eye. There may be other risks that will be discussed with you prior to the start of treatment.
The risk of infection is very low, usually about 1 injection for about every 2000 injections. If you experience the onset of pain, severe irritation, sudden decrease in vision following the injection you need to contact our office immediately
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