Abstract :
Purpoe
To provide a peronal perpective concerning diagnoi, treatment, and evaluation of treatment for early and late tage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) over a 35 year period, 1969–2004.
Deign
Literature review, peronal recollection, and converation with invetigator who participated in trial to evaluate treatment for AMD.
Method
The author reviewed the literature pertaining to evaluation and treatment of patient with AMD and convered with invetigator who, over the pat 35 year, deigned, conducted and participated in trial to ae new and exiting treatment for AMD.
Reult
In 1969, patient with AMD contituted a mall part of a typical ophthalmic practice. From 1969 to 2004, the prevalence of AMD ha increaed, and the method of evaluation and treatment have changed dramatically. The emergence of fluorecein angiography and the development of laer photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy have ubtantially altered clinical practice. everal promiing pharmacologic intervention are now being aeed in clinical trial. Neverthele, AMD remain the leading caue of evere and irreverible viion lo in the United tate becaue there are no highly effective treatment available for mot patient.
Concluion
Becaue of an aging population and the lack of highly effective treatment, late AMD remain a major unolved problem. However, there i extenive reearch being conducted with upport from the National Eye Intitute and from indutry. There i alo great interet in prevention trial. Accordingly, the author i optimitic that over the next 35 year there will be ignificant improvement in our ability to prevent evere viion lo from late AMD.
