Treatment of age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is a common cause of visual loss. There may be choroidal neovascularisation or geographic atrophy. Evidence is accumulating for the importance of avoidable risk factors in age-related macular degeneration, such as smoking and obesity. Research confirms that there is an important hereditary component to the disease. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factors have improved the outlook for patients suffering from neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Recent work has concentrated on refining the frequency and pattern of delivery of these drugs to the vitreous cavity. There are few treatment options for geographic atrophy.