Laser light prevents disease due to retinal degeneration

Experts believe that a breakthrough laser treatment can prevent millions of older people from blindness. This technique helps reverse the effects of age-related retinal degeneration (AMD) - the main cause of blindness in the elderly over 60 in the West.

Developed by a pioneer in eye diseases - GS. John Marshall of the Royal College of London, laser treatment can bring the elderly's eyes back to a more youthful state.

Improvements to the visual acuity of the above method were given in the reports of the results of the latest trials. AMD has affected more than 200,000 people in the UK. It attacks the central vision of the patient and can lead to blindness.

AMD develops when a membrane on the back of the eye is blocked by natural contaminants produced by light-sensitive cells, obscuring vision.

In young eyes, there is a system of enzymes that cleans the dust, but along with the aging process, the system is also less effective.

With laser treatment, short painless laser pulses work by accelerating the release of enzymes that will clean up wastes without damaging the cells .

Laser treatment with AMD (Photo: BBC)

Early tests have shown promising possibilities when about 50 people with diabetic eye disease are selected for laser testing (due to cases of this disease progressing faster than AMD).

Currently GS. Marshall plans to do more research in one-eye AMD patients with the aim of maintaining the eyesight of the other eye for as long as possible.

He said that a study showed that a person with high levels of AMD in one of the two eyes usually had AMD in the 18 months to 3 years.

Marshall said: ' What we're doing is trying to use lasers to affect aging processes, re-establishing the biological clock so that the elderly don't show signs of losing sight .'

The purpose of studying laser beams in AMD treatment is to prevent its effects and maintain the vision of the elderly.

Professor Marshall also hopes this treatment will be applied in 2 to 5 years and those in their 40s who have family members with AMD can choose this method as a way to prevent it. prevent the attack of this disease.

Tom Pey, director of foreign affairs for the Blind Dog Association, funded the research, saying: " This is a big breakthrough for millions of people around the world ."

The spokesman for the Macular Disease Society said: " If it is put into practice, it will be an extremely interesting development and a potential breakthrough . Unfortunately, it will not be useful to people. has lost sight due to AMD, but in return it brings hope for the future of people at risk of AMD ".

For people with wet AMD, blood vessels may leak out of the blood and liquid, forming scar tissue after the retina that causes the retina to function. This type of AMD can be used for treatment. However, there is currently no treatment for the most common form of dry AMD - AMD. But with this new laser technique, AMD can be prevented.