What medicine should be taken for macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration is a common eye disease that mostly affects middle-aged and elderly people. In severe cases, it may lead to vision loss. In recent years, with the advancement of medical technology, treatments for macular degeneration have been constantly updated. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to give you a detailed introduction to the drug treatment plan for retinal macular degeneration.
1. Classification of retinal macular degeneration

Macular degeneration is mainly divided into two types: dry (atrophic) and wet (exudative). Dry macular degeneration progresses more slowly, while wet macular degeneration progresses rapidly and can cause severe vision impairment. Here is a comparison of the two types:
| Type | Features | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| dry macular degeneration | Slow progress, macular atrophy | Gradual loss of vision and blurred vision |
| wet macular degeneration | Rapid progression, abnormal proliferation of blood vessels | Distortion of vision and loss of central field of vision |
2. Commonly used drugs for macular degeneration
Based on recent medical research and clinical practice, the following are commonly used medications to treat macular degeneration:
| Drug name | Applicable type | Mechanism of action | Common side effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranibizumab (Lucentis) | wet macular degeneration | Inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) | Intraocular infection, retinal detachment |
| Aflibercept (Eylea) | wet macular degeneration | VEGF inhibitors, reducing vascular leakage | Eye pain, blurred vision |
| Bevacizumab (Avastin) | wet macular degeneration | VEGF inhibitors, cheaper | High blood pressure, bleeding risk |
| Antioxidants (such as lutein) | dry macular degeneration | Delay macular degeneration | No obvious side effects |
3. Precautions for drug treatment
1.Take medication as directed by your doctor: Medications for macular degeneration (such as anti-VEGF drugs) usually require intravitreal injection and must be administered by a professional doctor. Self-medication is not allowed.
2.Regular review: Patients with wet macular degeneration need to check their fundus regularly, evaluate the treatment effect, and adjust the medication plan.
3.Combined with lifestyle improvements: Supplement foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin (such as spinach, blueberries), quit smoking and limit alcohol, and control blood pressure and blood sugar.
4. Recent popular research progress
According to the medical information in the past 10 days, the following studies are worthy of attention:
| Research content | Institution/Source | Key findings |
|---|---|---|
| Gene therapy for dry macular degeneration | National Eye Institute | Slowing retinal cell degeneration through gene editing |
| Oral VEGF inhibitor clinical trials | european journal of ophthalmology | Preliminary results show oral medication may reduce injection frequency |
5. Summary
The drug treatment for retinal macular degeneration needs to be selected according to the type. Anti-VEGF drugs are mainly used for wet lesions, and antioxidants can be supplemented for dry lesions. Patients should actively cooperate with doctors for treatment and pay attention to the latest research progress. If you have abnormal vision, please seek medical treatment in time to avoid delaying the condition.
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