What is Macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration (MD) usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the retina. The dry form of MD occurs as a result of retinal atrophy; the wet form is due to leakage of blood or protein below the macula.

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What do patients take to treat Macular degeneration and its symptoms?

Commonly prescribed and frequently used treatments

Treatment name Efficacy Overall rating of side effects # of Evaluations
Bevacizumab
(Avastin)
1
Zinc
(Biocare Nutrisorb Zinc, Metagenics Zinc Drink, Chelated Zinc)
0
Vitamin E
(Vitamin E topical, Vitalady Tender Dry E, Whole Foods Vitamin E, Spring Valley Vitamin E)
0
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
(Usana PolyC-6, Esther-C, Natural Factors Vitamin C, WSN Vitamin C)
0
0
Vitamin A
(Beta-carotene, Retinol)
0

These charts show data from Macular degeneration patients' latest treatment evaluations

Who has Macular degeneration at PatientsLikeMe?

<20 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+
Current Age
Distribution of females vs. males
Gender
62% Females
38% Males
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom # of patients Proportion
0-19 yrs 3
20-29 yrs 1
30-39 yrs 1
40-49 yrs 4
50-59 yrs 10
60-69 yrs 5
70+ yrs 1
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status # of patients Proportion
Diagnosed 38
Not Officially Diagnosed 5

These charts show data from Macular degeneration patients who have completed their condition history