Statistics shows that there are more than two million Americans that live with age-related macular degeneration. Of those two million an estimated 10% will develop an even more severe condition known as neovascular macular degeneration also known as \u201cwet\u201d AMD. This condition is characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels from the choroid underneath the macula. The patients who progress to \u201cwet\u201d AMD typically experience a more rapid decline in their vision than those of \u201cdry\u201d AMD.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s face it; permanent loss of our central vision is a terrifying thought for anyone. Even more terrifying is that there have been few available treatments for this blinding disease until the recent introduction of eye injections. Two anti- aging drugs: Lucentis and Avastin are commonly used to help manage wet AMD. Most injections for neovascular (wet) AMD typically are recommended administered via intravitreal injection once a month. However, the argument is that the so-called \u201cgood\u201d doses are causing more harm than good to patients receiving them. Dr. Edward Kondrot refers to these injections as the \u201cWatergate of eye care\u201d and is on somewhat of a crusade to increase the awareness of the controversial treatment.<\/p>\n
Kondrot believes that patients in his words have been \u201cbullied into getting the injections for their wet AMD\u2026and the side effects of Anti-VEGF do not outweigh the benefits.\u201d Kondrot further adds that the systemic side effects of the drug can include: \u201cmyocardial infarction, angina, hemorrhage, hypertensive crisis, and congestive heart failure to name only a few\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n