Ask an Expert about Macular Degeneration

Senile or age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the most common type of macular degeneration and this occurs after 55 years of age. Some would interpret the term “senile” as pejorative, and thus “age-related macular degeneration” is the more commonly used term.

A “retinal defect without detachment” is a complete absence of retinal tissue without fluid underneath the retina nearby. Some of these retinal defects lead to fluid underneath the retina and latter retinal detachment, and some retinal defects do not.

Eylea is a common treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), however this eye injection does not cure the disease; the injection only controls the disease. Some patients require lifelong treatment. Stopping ARMD treatment with Eylea before the wet ARMD is completely under control may result in permanent vision loss, or loss of the ability to improve vision with subsequent injections. Please talk with your retina specialist about your specific reasons for wanting to stop the Eylea injections as this action may have substantial impact your vision.

There are many types of rare macular degeneration that are inherited and seen commonly in children. Without knowing the specific type of inherited macular degeneration your daughter has, it is not possible to specifically share a particular prognosis or treatment strategy to preserve vision. Your daughter may benefit from evaluation by a specialist in inherited retinal diseases. These specialists can be found in large academic centers, and may be able to share with you more about the prognosis of your daughter's disease, eligibility for clinical trials, and strategies to maximize vision and visual function.

Rebotron is a combination treatment of ribavarin and interferon for the hepatitis C virus. No definitive link has been established concerning the use of these medications and developing or worsening of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Interferon can cause a variety of other changes in the eye however, so you should have a full examination by an ophthalmologist. Also, interferon has previously been associated with development of diabetes, so please discuss this with your medical doctor prescribing the Rebotron.

Lucentis is a common treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), however this eye injection does not cure the disease; the injection only controls the disease. It is not uncommon to eventually require treatment again after stopping Lucentis as the wet ARMD may recur. Restarting Lucentis injections would be a good option to preserve and possibly improve the vision from where it is now. Your specific prognosis depends on what kind of damage the wet ARMD has done to your eye and is best directed to your retina specialist after he or she has performed a complete examination and eye studies. In some patients, vision is lost after stopping Lucentis therapy that is not regained when restarting therapy.

Prism lenses can correct double vision caused by misalignment of the two eyes. Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) typically does not cause eye misalignment, so prism lenses would not be helpful in most cases of double vision due to ARMD. If your double vision is present at any point when either eye is closed, it is unlikely that prism lenses will help.

After researching the scientific literature, no definitive link between hair loss (alopecia) and Lucentis use was found.

Lutein esters are chemically distinct compounds from pure lutein. While lutein can be obtained from ingestion of lutein esters, these compounds must undergo enzymatic processing in the gut prior to being absorbed in the body.