A breakthrough technology viz Photodynamic
therapy using non-thermal laser, for treating Age-related
Macular Degeneration (AMD) has been achieved by the
LV Prasad Eye Institute. The first non-thermal
laser required for Photodynamic therapy treats AMD, a
condition of the eye responsible for the progressive decrease
of the central vsion. 
Dr Tara Prasad, Director of Kannuri Santamma Retina
Vitreous Centre and Director of Medical Services,
LV Prasad Eye Institute told that AMD could damage
the vision of the eye if left untreated. He said potential
preserving therapies like photodynamic therapy would provide
the answer. The new therapy will help slow down the inevitable
progression towards loss of central vision.
But What is (AMD)? AMD is a common eye disease associated
with ageing that gradually destroys sharp, central vision.
Central vision is needed for seeing objects clearly and
for common daily tasks such as reading and driving. In
some people, AMD advances so slowly that it will have
little effect on their vision as they age. But in others,
the disease progresses faster and may lead to a loss of
vision in one or both eyes. 
AMD occurs in two forms: Dry and Wet AMD. Ninety
percent of the people with AMD have the Dry type. Studies
have suggested that in dry AMD, a portion of the retina
becomes diseased, leading to a slow breakdown of the light-sensing
cells in the macula and a gradual loss of central vision.
Wet AMD, though affecting only 10 percent of AMD patients,
accounts for 90 percent of all blindness from the disease.
Who is most likely to get AMD? Although AMD may occur
during middle age, studies show that people over 60 are
clearly at greater risk than other age groups. For instance,
a large study found that people in middle age have about
a 2 percent risk of getting AMD, but this risk increases
to nearly 30 percent in those over
75 years in age.
Medical experts estimate that every year approximately
five lakh cases of wet AMD are diagnosed the world over.
Wet AMD is the more serious form of AMD and is responsible
for the loss of vision. That makes L.V.Prasad Eye Institute's
discovery more welcome.
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