You may also be asked to view an Amsler grid, a pattern that looks like a checkerboard. It has been suggested that taking certain extra vitamins and minerals may slow the progress of the disease. But this treatment needs much more research before scientists can know for sure if it's helpful. Eye care professionals can treat some cases of wet AMD with laser surgery. This treatment involves aiming a strong light beam onto the new blood vessels to destroy them.
Laser surgery is done in a doctor's office or in an eye clinic and lasts a short period of time.
Although a person may go home the same day, he or she will need to return for follow-up exams. The National Eye Institute is funding a number of research studies to learn what causes AMD and how it can be better treated. At the same time, other scientists are trying to learn more about how the cells in the retina work. This knowledge will allow them some day to pinpoint the cause of disease and design methods to prevent it. Although there is no effective treatment for dry AMD at this time, it is crucial that those who progress to wet AMD and need laser surgery have it before the disease destroys central vision.