Via practica 6/2008

AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION – RISK FACTORS AND TREATMENT

Age related macular degeneration (ARMD) is most frequent disease which leads to blindness in developed countries. 30% of population over the age of 75 years suffer with this disease. Risk factors for ARMD are: age, family and race predisposition, excesive sun light, lack of antioxidants in the food, smoking habit, hypertension and obese. There are dry and wet forms of ARMD. The treatment of dry form of ARMD consists of drugs that increase protection of retina from sun light like antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and 3omega acids. Most effective treatment of the wet form of ARMD is with the anti VEGF factors. Important is also the prevention of ARMD with elimination of all risk factors.

Keywords: age related macular degeneration, risk factors of ARMD, anti VEGF factors, treatment and prevention of ARMD