Surgery For Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a painless condition that affects the macula in the back of the eye. Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the most common cause of blindness in people aged 60 and over in the United Kingdom. It usually affects both eyes.

Vision with ARMD

ARMD causes a degradation (and even total loss) of central vision, which can severely impact a person's quality of life. Driving, reading and even recognising faces may be difficult depending on the severity of the condition.

Video on Intraocular Telescopes for Macular Degeneration

Intraocular telescopes

Intraocular Telescopes have been developed to give hope to people with both wet and dry macular degeneration. Mr Moriarty has implanted nearly 200 Intraocular Telescopes, including the IOLVIP, the IMT, and more recently the SML lens.

How does macular degeneration affect vision?

The macula is the point on the back of your eye (the retina) where images are normally focused. ARMD causes scarring on the macula, which prevents images from being sent to the brain.

Types of macular degeneration

There are two main types of age-related macular degeneration, usually referred to as 'wet and 'dry':

Wet macular degeneration

The wet type of macular degeneration accounts for 10% of all cases. This form of the condition is caused by a build-up of fluid under the retina and can occur more quickly.

It may be stabilised and improved by either laser treatment (photodynamic therapy), injections into the eyes (Lucentis, Macugen or Avastin), or the intraocular telescopes procedure.

Dry macular degeneration

The dry type of macular degeneration accounts for 90% of all cases. It occurs when the inner lining at the back of the eye thins, resulting in a loss of 'rod' and 'cone' cells (used to detect light). Dry ARMD develops slowly over time causing a gradual loss of central vision.

The new intraocular telescopes procedure has been developed to help restore vision in people suffering from this form of the condition. Previously, no treatment was available for this form of the condition.