Although your ophthalmologist will be able to readily detect the disease during an eye exam, he or she won't be able to cure it. The goal is to help the patient see better and stabilize the condition. Although there is no proven treatment for dry macular degeneration, some people believe that antioxidants or zinc supplements may help. Outpatient laser surgery may be an option for people with more severe wet macular degeneration. The laser beam is used to destroy the abnormal blood vessels and works best when these vessels have not grown under the macula.
Laser surgery is less helpful when the abnormal blood vessels have already grown under the macula.
In this case, the laser might cause as much damage as the presence of abnormal blood vessels. This is why early diagnosis is so important. One does not go blind. With the help of low vision aids, people can continue to enjoy many of their favorite activities and can still lead normal, independent lives. Most of low vision aids combine magnification and bright lights.