Dry Age Related Macula Degeneration is the leading cause of severe vision loss over the age of 50. Dry ARMD has three stages; early, intermediate, advanced. Treatment of Dry Age Related Macula Degeneration (dAMD) is focused on limiting disease progression by utilizing over the counter oral supplements, namely AREDS2 vitamins. These vitamins help to delay progression of the disease and preserve vision in patients with the Early-Intermediate stage of dry ARMD. Despite the effectiveness of AREDS2 vitamins to slow disease, many patients with the intermediate stage of Dry Age Related Macula Degeneration progress to the Advanced stage of disease in which Geographic atrophy develops.
What is Advance AMD with Geographic Atrophy (GA)?
Advance ARMD is noted by the physical presence of geographic atrophy in the central retina and results in blind spot development. Over time the areas of atrophy can enlarge and coalesce with enlargement of the blind spot with resultant irreversible loss of central vision which cannot be corrected with eyeglasses or surgery.
As GA progresses, your symptoms may increase. While you may not have noticeable changes when looking at an eye chart, GA lesions will continue to damage your vision over time.
Symptoms of Advanced Dry ARMD include:
Early disease may be asymptomatic
Hazy or blurred vision
Straight lines looked crooked
Missing or blurred spots in central vision
Difficult seeing in low light environments
Colors appear dull and faded
It’s important to slow lesion growth in to delay the progression of GA.
Breakthrough Treatment
SYFOVRE is a recently approved prescription eye injection, used to treat geographic atrophy (GA), the dry advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This medication slows lesion growth to delay vision loss and preserve vision.
Syfovre is an office based injection that is given every 25-60 days for 1-2yrs.
It’s important to know that GA cannot be cured, and any damage from lesion growth cannot be reversed.
Please contact our office if you are interested to learn more about Age related macula degeneration and how Syfovre may help to preserve your vision.
