AMD – Age related Macular Degeneration

AMD is the commonest cause of visual impairment in people over the age of 55 in The UK.

·       There are two forms—Wet and Dry.

·       Recent developments in the treatment of ‘Wet’ AMD have made it possible to treat the majority of patients with this form of the disease.

·       90% of AMD sufferers have the ‘Dry’ form of the disease.

·       Traditionally, there has been no effective treatment for ‘Dry’ AMD.

·       Exciting new developments which can improve vision for some people with Dry AMD have become available recently. Three types of telescopic lens implants are now licensed in Europe for visual rehabilitation of patients with Dry AMD – these are the IOL-VIP system, The IMT (Implantable Miniature Telescope) and the LMI (Lipshitz Macular Implant).

·       It is important to realise that these implants do not cure the AMD, or stop its progression. Implants help optically by placing a magnifying device within the eye. Unlike external telescopes, intraocular implants follow naturally occurring eye movements, and this is a major advantage allowing patients to track objects, which can be very difficult using an external spectacle mounted telescope.

·       NICE, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has issued guidance on the ‘Implantation of miniature lens systems for advanced age-related macular degeneration’ (http://guidance.nice.org.uk/IPG272), a copy is attached to this leaflet and should be read in conjunction with this.

·       Implants are only suitable for selected patients and are not recommended for all AMD patients. Patients with moderate visual loss are most likely to benefit. Generally patients with 6/18 or worse vision in both eyes and at least 6/120 or better in one eye are suitable. Patients with diseases which compromise the visual field, such as glaucoma are excluded.

This page was last modified on Sunday, August 30, 2009