Macular degeneration or Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD for short) is a chronic irreversible medical condition that results in loss of vision in the centre of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the retina.

Peripheral vision remains intact in most people and this will allow them to remain independent with most of the other daily activities.

AMD is one of the leading causes of blindness affecting those 50 years or older.

2 types of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD occurs in “dry” and “wet” forms. 90 per cent of AMD patients suffer from the “dry” form.

  1. Dry AMD results in slow progressive loss of central vision. The condition develops as the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down with age. 

  2. Wet AMD (also known as exudative or neovascular AMD) is caused by the growth of small, abnormal blood vessels under the retina in the macula.
    Wet AMD usually arises from pre-existing dry AMD. These abnormal blood vessels leak blood, fluid, lipids and protein, resulting in disruption of the normal structure of the retina. If it is not treated, scar tissue form under the macula and central vision is permanently destroyed.
    The “wet” form commonly results in advance visual loss within a short period of time. 

Treatment for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)​

1. For Dry AMD

For dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), there is currently no known treatment.

Some patients may benefit from the "AREDS2" formulation of supplements and vitamins, in terms of reducing the risk of developing advanced AMD. 

It would be best to consult your eye doctor on whether these supplements will be beneficial for you. Early detection of conversion to the wet type is also important for better preservation of vision. 

2. For Wet AMD

Intravitreal injections (medications injected into the eye)

Currently, the most common treatment is in the form of drugs injected into the eye (called intravitreal injections).


Avastin*, Lucentis and Eylea are examples of drugs used to treat wet AMD as they block the growth of abnormal blood vessels. The injection can be performed safely after the eye has been anaesthetised with eye drops. You will experience some mild discomfort after the injection.

However, the effect of each injection would usually last for one month and a long course of repeated injections is required to adequately control the condition.

Clinical studies have suggested that at least 12 to 14 injections will be required over a two-year period to control the disease. 

During this time, your eye condition should be reviewed frequently as response can vary between individuals. Your ophthalmologist will also need to perform an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan at most visits, and angiogram periodically to assess your response.

If treatment starts before scarring sets in, it can improve vision significantly. “The gold standard now is to inject medicines into the eye, which cause the blood vessels to shrink away.” At Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), patients are given one injection every month for three months.

“After that, we re-evaluate. If things settle down, we stop the injections and continue monitoring them every month. If there’s new bleeding, we restart the injections,” said specialists from the Surgical Retina Department at SNEC, a member of the SingHealth ​group.​

Other treatments for wet AMD (usually used in combination)

In some selected cases, other forms of treatment, with or without injections may also be recommended by your ophthalmologist. 

  • Photodynamic therapy uses a non-thermal "cold" laser together with an intravenous drug (verteporfin) to reduce leakage and seal up abnormal blood vessels. 

  • Laser photocoagulation uses a "hot" laser to destroy the abnormal blood vessels.

* Avastin is accepted by all public hospitals and institutions for treatment of AMD.

See the previous page for causes of macular degeneration and how to prevent it.

​Ref. G25 (ed)

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