Lucentis Macular Degeneration Treatment

Approximately 30 percent of people over the age of 75 suffer from wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to the National Eye Institute. Wet AMD is a medical condition where the part of your eye used for vision degenerates and gradually causes blindness.

Identification

• Lucentis is the brand name for an injectable prescription drug known as ranibizumab, which slows the progression of wet AMD.

Function

• Lucentis works by binding to chemicals known as VEGF-A, which contribute to the progression of wet AMD. When these chemicals are bound by Lucentis, they are not able to readily effect your macula, the area of your eye that is responsible for vision.

Time Frame

• Doctors typically administer one injection of Lucentis every 28 days for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration, reports RxList.

Risks

• Side effects of Lucentis include cataracts, eye irritation or redness, dry eyes and itching. Risks associated with the use of Lucentis include retinal detachment, increases in intraocular pressure that contribute to the onset of glaucoma, and the formation of blood clots in your eye, according to RxList.

Considerations

• Because its effects upon fetal development are unknown, doctors rarely prescribe Lucentis for use in pregnant women, but because wet AMD is more common in elderly patients, women who need treatment with Lucentis are rarely of child-bearing age. If you have a history of eye infections or glaucoma, it may not be safe for you to be treated with Lucentis, says the Mayo Clinic.