One treatment for wet macular degeneration is laser photo-coagulation. A laser beam is set upon a spot on the macula to destroy abnormal blood vessels. The procedure can be done in a doctor's office and takes only a few minutes. The patient is able to return to normal activity soon afterwards. This procedure can significantly reduce the risk of vision loss but must be used as new vessels develop and before more damage occurs.
Early detection is extremely important.
Individuals over 40 are encouraged to have a yearly eye examination. If dry macular degeneration is found, further examinations and diagnostics are performed. There is no indication that laser photo-coagulation is effective for those suffering from the dry form of macular degeneration. For wet macular degeneration, a procedure called fluorescein angiography is used. Dye is injected into the patients arm and its path to the eye is trace by photograph.