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MACULAR DEGENERATION 

When objects situated directly in front of the eye are looked at, the macula is the point on the retina where the light rays meet, after being focused by the cornea and the lens.

If the macula is damaged, the centre of the image is blocked, as if a blurred area had been superimposed on it. The images around the blurred area can be seen clearly.

Age-related macular degeneration is a lesion or decomposition of the macula. The eye sees the objects situated to the side of the field of vision, lateral or “peripheral” vision being unaffected.

For this reason, age-related macular degeneration does not cause total blindness, but can hinder or prevent reading or work if special optical devices for reduced vision are not used.

 MACULAR DEGENERATION SURGERY

TREATMENT

-EYE INJECTIONS: LUCENTIS

The first drug which has proved capable, in clinical tests, of restoring and maintaining eyesight in patients with damp age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is Ranibizumab, commercialized as Lucentis, which is now available in Spain. The visual improvement associated with this medication restores patients’ ability to carry out activities such as reading, driving and identifying faces, meaning a substantial improvement in their quality of life.

Lucentis is a solution for intra-vitreous injection. It contains the active ingredient, ranibizumab.How is Lucentis administered?

Lucentis is administered by injection in the affected eye. For the first 3 months, one injection is administered per month. After that period, the patient’s eyesight must be examined every month and another injection administered if its state has worsened. The Interval between injections must not be less than 1 month. Lucentis must be administered by a qualified ophthalmologist with experience in the administration of this type of injection. Prior to each injection, a local anaesthetic is administered in order to reduce or prevent any pain it might cause, and the eye, the eyelid and the skin surrounding the eye are disinfected. Three days before and 3 days after the injection, an antibiotic is administered in the form of eye drops to prevent eye infections. Patients will be given instructions on how to administer the drops themselves.

How does Lucentis act?

The active ingredient of Lucentis, ranibizumab, is a small fragment of a monoclonal antibody. A monoclonal antibody is an antibody (a type of protein) whose purpose is to recognize and attach itself to a specific structure (called an antigen) found in certain cells of the body.

Ranibizumab has been designed to block a substance called vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). High levels of VEGF-A are found in the eyes of patients with ARMD and cause the growth and secretion of blood vessels. Such effects aggravate the disease. By blocking this factor, Ranibizumab reduces the growth and secretion of blood vessels. 

 

The retina is the delicate layer of tissues which lines the internal wall of the eye. The macula is a very small area situated at the centre of the retina. It has the approximate size of a capital “O” on this brochure. This small area is responsible for our central vision, used for reading and other delicate tasks.

Macular degeneration is more frequent in elderly persons. Age is the most frequent cause of visual incapacity to read and see things close up in elderly persons.

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