The two most common forms of age related macular degeneration (AMD) are dry (non-exudative) and wet (exudative) AMD. People who have wet AMD, which causes more severe loss of central vision, had the dry form first. This is why researchers are looking at ways to treat dry AMD to prevent it from progressing to wet AMD.

Dry Macular Degeneration Research

Currently, there are several research studies that are seeking to treat AMD earlier and are looking at ways to intervene in the progression of this macular disease. One of these studies will be taking place at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. With the use of eye drops the stated objective of the study is “to prevent the progression of dry macular degeneration to wet macular degeneration by:

Restoring choroidal blood flow

Preventing the rupture of Bruch’s Membrane and

Treating aging effects of inflammation and oxidative stress”

Improving blood flow to the eye addresses one of the underlying processes that contribute to the development of age related macular degeneration. As AMD progresses, circulation to the macula is impaired or clogged. Important nutrients and oxygen are not delivered and toxic waste builds up causing the death or degeneration of photoreceptor cells. With the loss of photoreceptor cells comes loss of vision.

The Phase II/III study will be seeking participants between the age of 50 to 85 years old who have mild to moderate dry macular degeneration. The eye drops have been developed by MacuClear using a proprietary solution called MC-1101. The FDA has approved the active ingredient of MC-1101 as an oral anti-hypertensive (high blood pressure) drug. Only one eye will receive the eye drops.

The study will take place over 2 years and will recruit a total of 60 participants. Anyone with prior wet macular degeneration, diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, or geographic atrophy along with several other health conditions are not eligible to be in the study.

The researchers will be using a double blind study model meaning that patients will randomly be assigned to receive eye drops with the active ingredient while others will get eye drops without the active ingredient. Visual function tests will be conducted at 12, 18 and 24 months. The study start date will be sometime after July 2012 and the estimated completion date is July 2014.

Find out about other current research that is currently going one for those with dry AMD.

Dry Macular Degeneration Clinical Trials

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

www.WebRN-MacularDegeneration.com