Age-related macular degeneration: Current and novel therapies

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 60 with a prevalence that continues to rise, particularly in industrialized nations. Although treatments for AMD were once limited, with disappointing clinical results, new treatments have emerged for both the nonexudative and exudative forms of the disease, which have improved prognostic outcomes. These treatments include nutritional supplementation, antioxidant prophylaxis, and intravitreal injection of medications that inhibit aberrant vascular proliferation. This review serves as a summary of the current and experimental therapies for both exudative and nonexudative AMD. Although a number of challenges and clinical questions remain, the future of treating AMD appears promising particularly as we gain further insights into the genetic and biochemical pathways of the disease. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.