Patient's Query
Hello Doctor,
My grandfather is 84 years old and was recently diagnosed with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). He has been receiving monthly injections in his eye to slow the progression of vision loss. While the treatment has provided some improvement, he is still facing significant challenges with reading, driving, and even recognizing faces. He is afraid that he may eventually lose his sight completely.
Are these injections a lifelong treatment, or will they eventually cease to be effective? Additionally, are there any tools or assistive devices that could help him with daily activities such as reading and watching television? We want to do everything possible to help him remain independent and maintain his quality of life.
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I have read your query and can understand your concern.
Lifelong injections are needed, but not necessarily on a monthly basis forever. Anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor) injections are the main treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Many patients begin with monthly injections and later transition to injections every 6 to 12 weeks, depending on their symptoms and overall condition.
While the frequency of injections may decrease over time, many patients still require lifelong treatment to maintain their current level of vision and prevent further deterioration.
A plateau phase can occur in which no further improvement in vision is observed, and the response to the current medication diminishes. In such cases, it may be necessary to switch to another anti-VEGF(vascular endothelial growth factor) drug.
Assistive tools for vision and independence:
Wearable digital magnifiers: Help enhance reading and object recognition.
Talking watches and medication reminders: Support daily routines and medication adherence.
Printed books with large fonts and labels: Make reading easier.
Voice assistants: Aid in setting reminders, getting news, and more through voice commands.
Watching Television
Contrast-Enhanced Glasses: Improve the clarity and contrast of images on screen.
Wearable Audio Magnifiers: Help amplify and clarify sound for better understanding of dialogues.
Driving
It is usually considered unsafe to drive with advanced wet AMD due to impaired central vision, which is crucial for identifying road signs, pedestrians, and other vehicles.
Other support options:
Support Groups: Provide emotional support, shared experiences, and coping strategies.
Occupational Therapy: Helps patients adapt their home and lifestyle to maintain independence.
I hope this helps.
Thank you.
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Answered byDr. Muhammad Anees Ur Rehman
Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
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