Amidst concerns that cataract surgery may be a risk factor in the progression of dry ARMD to wet ARMD, a study was conducted between 1996 and 1999 by Dr. A.M. Armbrecht of The Royal Infimary of Edinburgh. It is the most common cause of vision loss in the United States in those 50 or older, and its prevalence increases with age. AMD is caused by hardening of the arteries that nourish the retina. This deprives the sensitive retinal tissue of oxygen and nutrients that it needs to function and thrive. As a result, the central vision deteriorates.
Macular degeneration varies widely in severity.
In the worst cases, it causes a complete loss of central vision, making reading or driving impossible. For others, it may only cause slight distortion. Fortunately, macular degeneration does not cause total blindness since it does not affect the peripheral vision. ICG reacts to light with a longer wavelength than fluorescein dye, allowing the doctor to pinpoint the location of leaking vessels deeper within the eye that may not be apparent with fluorescein angiography. After the ICG is injected into the patient s arm, it travels through the bloodstream to the eye in about 15 to 20 seconds.