• What is ARMD
• Wet ARMD
• 2 years of activity
• VEGF and Lucentis
• The result of Lucentis
• NICE guidelines 2008 etc
• Dry AMRD
• Better with healthy lifestyle
• The Lucentis treatment program
• NICE ..results
• Referral from Optometrists
• Low Vision Clinic
• Lucentis injections..3 to start with
• Lucentis, the injection
• Risks of injection
• Anticoagulents
• Blepharitis
• Monthly follow up clinics
• NICE ..stopping treatment
• Wet ARMD and the other eye
• Distortion of Vision and other symptoms of ARMD
• The Macular Disease Society
• More information
• Directions, contact phone numbers
  
  
• Netdoctor..link

This page is designed to be printed out. It summaries the Lucentis treatment program that is starting soon in the NHS, describing the service at Good Hope.

There is some extremely important information on this page. Further details are available on our website , as below.

CNV= choroidal new vessels (the cause of wet ARMD)

The retina lines the back of the eye, like the film in a camera. The macula  is the area in the centre of the retina.

The macula is the part of the retina is responsible for detailed vision, that is seeing faces, reading, watching TV. If the macula is damaged central vision starts to become patchy or distorted.

ARMD is one of the commonest types of macular damage, and is common in older people.

There are two types of ARMD, dry and wet.

• Dry ARMD progresses very slowly, over many years. It is essential 'wearing out' of the macula.
• Wet ARMD occurs when there is a leak under the macula. It progresses quickly. Lucentis dries the leak out, and this page discusses the new Lucentis treatment.

ARMD does not cause blindness, but with reduced central vision life is more difficult.

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Wet ARMD is a condition in which blood vessels grow under the retina. They grow under the central retina, in the area is called the macula. These growing blood vessels then start to leak and cause a type of blister, like a small 'hill'.

When wet ARMD develops central vision starts to become patchy or distorted or bent, after months central vision may get much worse.

Before the wet ARMD develops, invisible aging changes develop over many years.

Without treatment the blood vessels grow and leak for an average 1-2 years. These leaky blood vessels that cause the 'blister' eventually scar. This leaces a big damaged area in the central retina, and this reduces all the central vision.

During the active phase sight gets worse. But after that 1-2 years sight stailbises and usually does not get any worse. By the end of 2 years many people have lost a lot of their central vision, and cannot read etc... See animation.

Treatment (eg Lucentis) is needed during the active phase, and is of no help later. Lucentis treatment may be needed for about 2 years.

VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) is one of the main chemical 'fertilizers' that stimulates blood vessel growth and leakage. VEGF is a chemical released by damaged macular cells...these cells are damaged by the aging process.

Lucentis is one of the 'anti-VEGF' drugs. It stops the blood vessels growing and leaking, by neutralising VEGF.

Lucentis is the the 'anti-VEGF' drug passed by NICE, but there are others (Macugen, Avastin). (NICE is the English Government department that approves new drugs).

These drugs are antibodies, and are large molecules. As they it cannot be eaten like a tablet, they have to be given by an injection into the eye.

CNV ..the white patch enlarge

Lucentis usually stops the blood vessel growth and leakage. Lucentis makes the central scar much smaller that it would have been without treatment.

After 2 years treatment, patients may have lost some central vision, but they keep more sight than without the treatment.

The effect is very variable. Some people retain good central vision; some most of their central vision; and some will do badly. Smokers or those with high blood pressure are likely to get the worst results.

1. treatment this improves sight in 40%
   
2. another 50% 'will stabilise', but the sight may get 3 lines worse.
   
3. the remaining 10% get much worse (particularly if smoking continues)
4. unfortunately results are worse in older patients
5. Different types of wet ARMD respond differently:
   • 'occult' neovascular ARMD, type 1' with a PED responds the worse, and occasionally the retina may 'rip', but they are still moderately effective. See the Marina study.
   • Classic responds best
   • Occult type 2    intermediate response
6. official results
   

There are many other types of ARMD, and most of these are dry. Lucentis has no effect on these whatsoever. These dry types or ARMD changes are essentially thinning of the central retina ...'wear and tear' as people get older.

Indeed most patients with wet ARMD will have had dry ARMD changes previously. The wet changes develop as an 'extra'.

Even with successful Lucentis treatment the dry changes will still progress, but these changes are extremely slow and take many years.

dry ARMD...drusen
(the creamy patches)
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To get the best results, it is

• absolutely essential to stop smoking...each cigarette makes the condition 15% worse (proven link). 20 cigarettes increase the progression rate 360%
• keep a blood pressure below 140 systolic (the top figure)
• have regular exercise (if well 2 hours walking a day if overweight, 1 hour if thin)
• keep a cholesterol below 4.5mmol/l (below 3.5 even better) even if this means cholesterol tablets
• have a healthy diet low in fat, very low in saturated and trans-fats
• have 7-9 portions of vegetables/fruit day
• have very little salt (this is in processed food)
• pass this message on to the rest of the family...ARMD may run in families
• vitamin supplements are advised if the diet is poor and you cannot eat the vegetables needed. Doctors disagree as to whether they are needed if you have a healthy diet.
• ARMD is increased if overweight

smoking..graph..enlarge

1. the best-corrected visual acuity is between 6/12 and 6/96
2. there is no permanent structural damage to the central fovea
   
3. there is evidence of recent presumed disease progression (blood vessel growth, as indicated by fluorescein angiography, or recent visual acuity changes)
   
4. lesion size is less than or equal to 12 disc areas in greatest linear dimension
   

Initially growing blood vessels stop growing for about 6 weeks after a Lucentis injection. Later the vessels may stop growing for longer. Here is an outline of the treatment program.

Lucentis injections are given monthly for 3 months. Then monthly check ups are needed, and more lucentis is given each time there is some leakage

1. 'classic' neovascular ARMD' responds much better.
   
2. assess with OCT at future visits..treat whenever there is a 100 micron increase in retinal thickness in foveal area.
   
3. after 3 injections a 1 month check,
4. Most experts advise... if inactive may extend the next check interval (this is a very controversial issue at present).
   
5. PDT laser or intravitreal steroids may be needed for certain cases, in addition to Lucentis.
   
6. 'occult' neovascular ARMD, type 1' with a PED responds the worse, and occasionally the retina may 'rip', but they are still moderately effective. See the Marina study.
   
7. Lucentis will also be effective against 'occult' neovascular ARMD, type 2 (without a pigment epithelial detachment).
8. see NICE
   

Referral will be accepted from optometrists finding wet ARMD, that is ARMD with fluid and haemorrhage.

Patients will be seen in the rapid access macular clinic

• FAX number (will be written here when working, same number for Good Hope, Solihull, Heartlands) )
• investigations will be carried out.
• Patients with dry ARMD or ineligible patients will considered for the Low Vision Clinic and partial sight registration.
• eligible wet ARMD patients will be given dates for the 3 'loading' injections and follow up clinic.

A full Low Vision service is available at Good Hope (and most Eye Departments). Patients can be referred by the GP at any time. In addtion to specific help reading, we try and identify patients who need extra support or social contact in the community, and liase with social services, help groups, and other community support groups. The clinic is for anyone who

• cannot read properly
• says their glasses are still not correct
• with ARMD with visual difficulties
• cannot drive their car or read n10
• asks for LV appointment or a magnifier
• any eye condition

These are a requirement of the program because Lucentis works best if given as 3 injections. These are a month apart, with no examination in between. Antibiotic drops are prescribed before and after the procedure.

Lucentis is given as an injection into the vitreous cavity of your eye. It is given in a clean room or an operating theatre. The injection procedure itself takes seconds and is usually feels like a tiny prick. You can go home later that day...this is a 'day case' procedure'.

Good Hope, Heartlands, and Solihull patients will be treated in their respective hospital when possible. Good Hope patients in the new Treatment Centre.

About 1/1000 people will develop a serious eye infection.

The day after the injection your eye should be comfortable. If your eye starts to get red, with misty vision (there may be no pain), perhaps 2-5 days after the injection, you should suspect an infection and attend your eye department urgently. In Birmingham this is the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre Casualty at the
Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre, City Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QH
Tel: 0121-554 3801 evenings

If patients are using anticoagulents (warfarin)

1. The INR should be less than 3.0
2. If the INR is steady, with a test in the last 4 weeks, another test is not needed
3. if your INR fluctuates it should be repeated.
4. There is a slight increase in bleeding for warfarin patients, both on the surface of they, and into the cavity of the eye (vitreous haemorrhage). Such bleeds will not usually be serious.
   
   

This is a low grade infection of the eyelids (see).

1. In this condition there is a small risk that bacteria from the eyelids can cause enter the eyeball when the injection is given, producing a very serious infection as above (endophthalmitis)
2. Patients with severe blepharitis need intensive treatment before the injection (see). Antibiotic drops, tablets, and lid cleaning.
3. Patients with mild blepharitis should start lid cleaning.
4. Intermediate severity...lid cleaning and possibly drops
   

Patients are required to have check ups every month. This is a requirement of NICE and the funding Primary Care Trusts.

At these visits

• patients will see the macular clinic nurse and have their vision measured
• OCT examination
• eye examined by doctor (not all patients)
• later if the condition is stable appointments may have longer gaps
• retreatment is arranged if the OCT demonstrates a 100 micron increase in retinal thickness in foveal area
• retreatment is needed if the vision gets worse (and this is due to the CNV recurring)
• vision usually gets worse about 4 weeks after this increase in fluid...if your vision changes, this does suggest fluid is accumulating and the new vessels have starting growing again

a healthy OCT  (F = fovea, the centre of the macula)

fluid has accumulated...more Lucentis needed enlarge

1. Lucentis should be continued only in people who maintain adequate response to therapy.
2. Treatment is stopped if there is a persistent deterioration in visual acuity with identification of anatomical changes in the retina that indicate inadequate response to therapy.
   
   

Unfortunately age related macular degeneration can affect the other eye. See healthy lifestyle above: this may help. If you do notice a change in your sight, see distortion below.

• The atrophic or dry type usually does occur in both eyes, but remember this generally gets only slowly worse.
• There may be a gap of years before the process begins in the second eye.
• The neovascular or wet type can also affect the other eye, at an overall rate of 90% over the next 5 years.
  
• High blood pressure, one large drusen near the fovea, 5 drusen in the macular area, and retinal pigment epithelial changes each contribute to this 90%.
• So if you have only one of these risk factors, such as 5 drusen and a low blood pressure and don't smoke, then the progression rate is 90/4, that is about 23% over a 5 year period. If you have 2 risk factors, 45%.
  
• But if you have 2 risk factors (45% 5 year risk) and your partner smokes 20/day, your risk is 45 x2 = 90% over 5 years...see immediately below.
  
• The figure is 4 times higher for smokers, and twice as high for passive smokers. (If smoking at 20 cigarettes/day.)
  

How would you know if you have the 'neovascular' type of age related macular degeneration ? Some symptoms suggest you may be developing the problem

• distortion of vision, where straight lines such as window frames appear bent as shown below
• a feeling as though you are looking through water

We advise using the Amsler Grid test to use every day, or at least once a week, at home. These authors recommend this test, although personally I have found that patients may still present late.

Patients are given a grid, told to look at the central spot with their reading glasses on, using one eye at a time. If any of the adjacent lines become bent or wiggly or distorted, then CNV (blood vessels growing under the macula) may be present, and patients should see their ophthalmologist (in Birmingham attend the Eye Centre Casualty, City Hospital. Good Hope patients should contact the Rapid Access Clinic contact team). The test is explained well here .

Your ophthalmologist may recommend tests such as a fluorescein angiogram. This will demonstrate any new vessels, where they are, what type they are, and what type of treatment if any will help.

Distortion of straight lines which may start to appear crooked over a few weeks usually means the ARMD is progressing. Sometimes this is due to the 'neovascular' ARMD developing, and you are advised to be checked in case laser may help.

The main support and information group for ARMD patients is the Macular Disease Society.

http://www.maculardisease.org   
info@maculardisease.org 

The Macular Disease Society
PO Box 1870
Andover
SP10 9AD
Tel: 01264 350551

See our website (google Good Hope Eye clinic and ARMD), and the links opposite. The web address of this page is in the 'footer'.

Additional treatment may be needed for some patients. These include

• PDT laser
• Triamcinolone
  

Good Hope Hospital is situated on Rectory Road, approximately one mile from Sutton Coldfield town centre and can be easily accessed by car or public transport.
The nearest train station is Sutton Coldfield which is under one mile away.

The hospital is also on bus routes: 68A, 68C, 71, 104A, 115, 168,  604, 757, 915 all stop on Rectory Road.

Good Hope Hospital
Rectory Road
Sutton Coldfield
B75 7RR