Of the 38 million people who are blind, the majority, 22 million, are 60 years of age or older. The most common causes of vision loss in elderly people are age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Of these, AMD is the leading cause of registered blindness in people over the age of 50 years in the western world. However, until recently, the treatment options for people with AMD have been severely limited. Verteporfin therapy is a new treatment that is efficacious and safe in selected patients with AMD who are at high risk of central vision loss. Physicians who are in regular contact with elderly people can help to minimize vision loss in this group of patients by being alert to the symptoms and signs of age-related eye diseases. This paper reviews each of the common eye diseases, with an emphasis on AMD because of the recent advances in treatment.

Keywords:
Age-related macular degeneration, Cataract, Diabetic retinopathy, Glaucoma, Verteporfin therapy
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel
2002
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.