Macular dystrophy

Macular dystrophy is a progressive chronic disease that affects the central part of the retina (the macula). This pathology is mostly diagnosed in women over the age of 70.

The dry form of macular dystrophy occurs in 90% of cases and has the most favorable prognosis with timely treatment. The wet and scar forms lead to irreversible vision loss if left untreated.

Symptoms indicating the need for diagnosis and treatment

The early stages of macular degeneration progress slowly and painlessly. Patients first notice a decrease in visual acuity in low-light conditions or at night. As the disease advances, they experience blurry vision and difficulty reading.

A clear clinical sign is the appearance of a gray or black irregularly shaped spot in the central visual field.

Diagnostic and treatment methods

Diagnostic

• Bioophthalmoscopy
• Fluorescein angiography of the retinal vessels
• Electroretinography
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT)

Treatment

The primary treatment method is laser surgery, which aims to stop blood flow in abnormal blood vessels.

To preserve retinal receptors, photodynamic therapy and transpupillary therapy are performed to halt blood circulation in affected areas.

Leading international clinics use photobiomodulation — a technique that uses low-intensity light for cellular stimulation.

Innovations in global clinics

Currently, the most advanced treatment for wet macular dystrophy is VEGF inhibitor injections. These injections are placed directly into the vitreous body (inside the eye) to thicken the affected blood vessels. This method successfully halts vision deterioration in 70% of patients.