Possible New Vision Loss Treatment in the Works

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of vision loss. It’s hard to completely prevent because it’s main risk factor is aging. Until we find a way to stop aging, AMD will continue to affect the masses.

Currently, treatment for AMD involved injections into the eye. If you cringed after reading that, you’re not alone – it’s pretty invasive.

Luckily for us, there are newer, less invasive treatments in the works.

Researchers are now developing eyedrops as a means to treat AMD.

Preliminary tests have shown eyedrops to be effective at administrating valuable treatments – similar to that of the injections – to the crucial parts of the eyes.

The technology behind the eye drops is a cell-penetrating peptide that can deliver the medication to the retina.

The company behind the eyedrops have pending patents. Meanwhile, they’re working on eyedrops to treat various other eye conditions.

Felicity de Cogan of the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Microbiology and Infection explained, “For several years, our team has focused on the challenge of delivering drugs to the back of the eye. From the outset, we realized that delivering drugs through eye drops would mean that patients can administer their treatment themselves, and this would be less costly, save time for patients and healthcare providers, and reduce the potential complications that can arise from injections.”

AMD, although mainly caused by aging, may be slowed by adhering to a healthy lifestyle that involves regular exercise, not smoking, and eating healthy.

Also read:

• Wet macular degeneration: Causes, symptoms, treatments, and remedies
• Dry macular degeneration: Causes, symptoms, and dry vs. wet AMD