Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Our approach to treating age-related macular degeneration

At London Medical, we have an outstanding team of retina experts who are the top ophthalmologists in their field. Located on the cutting edge of retina research and involved in the latest treatments for AMD, our experts ensure that your treatment reflects the very latest advances in a rapidly-developing field.  

Getting diagnosed

If you have experienced any signs or symptoms of vision loss or want a second opinion, the first step is to have a complete eye exam with one of our AMD consultants. 

After arriving at our ground floor office area, you’ll be given a vision test and then administered drops to dilate your eye. Your consultant will then offer one or more of the following investigations to diagnose your condition:

• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans – This non-invasive test takes detailed images of your retina and macula.
• Fluorescein angiography – Used to detect and track wet AMD, this investigation involves the injection of a special yellow dye into a vein in your arm. Your technician then takes pictures as the blood moves through your eye's retinal blood vessels.
• Indocyanine green angiography (ICG) – In this investigation, the technician injects a different type of green dye into your hand or arm to record the blood flow of choroidal blood vessels located under the retinal blood vessels.

What are my treatment options for dry AMD?

Although some promising treatments are on the horizon, there is currently no treatment for dry AMD. We understand that this is difficult to accept. Our consultants will offer compassionate support and education that is tailored to your stage of the disease.

If you are in the early stages of AMD, you will not need any intervention. Those individuals whose dry AMD has progressed to an intermediate stage can benefit from taking specific vitamin supplements. Your consultant can advise you on the right evidence-based supplements for you.

For patients with more advanced AMD, we offer a low vision assessment to help you find special low vision aids that can help you adapt to daily life with impaired vision. 

What are my treatment options for wet AMD?

With wet AMD, the sooner you get diagnosed and start a treatment programme, the better your visual outcome will be. Several drugs can slow the progression of this disease and protect the vision of patients with wet AMD.

Anti-VEGF injections
Intravitreal injections, called anti-VEGF injections, can reduce the growth and leakage of abnormal blood vessels in your retina. These injections are given several times a year and are highly effective in stabilising and improving vision in patients with wet AMD.

At London Medical, we offer access to the latest and most effective approved drugs on the market, including:

• Eylea
• Lucentis
• Avastin
• Beovu
• Vabysmo.

Vabysmo is a newly approved drug that shows promising outcomes for our patients. A key benefit is its extended dosing regimen which increases the time between injections, meaning fewer injections overall.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
Your consultant might recommend photodynamic therapy (PDT) for some types of wet AMD (polyps). This treatment uses a special dye and laser on the back of the eye to close abnormal blood vessels. The procedure is performed at London Medical, which is one of the few private or public eye clinics that offer this therapy.

Lifestyle changes
Although many of us don’t realise it, our retina health is closely associated with our overall health. If you have hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes or other underlying health problems, you are more at risk for eye problems. There are many ways that you can protect and improve your overall eye health:

• Stop smoking
• Eat an eye-healthy diet rich in dark, leafy greens
• Lose weight
• Protect your eyes from harmful rays of the sun
• Manage conditions such as high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease.

As part of the London Medical family, our eye clinic has access to various specialities — all under one roof. So whether you need a personalised weight management programme, expert nutritional advice or support with quitting smoking, we can help look after your whole health.