Until 2023, no medications were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Thanks to the hard work of doctors and researchers, there are now two medications that have been shown to slow disease progression (worsening of the condition over time). Studies have also found that supplements and lifestyle changes can help preserve vision and support overall health. More research is underway, and you may even be eligible to participate in clinical trials.

In this article, we’ll discuss five approaches to dry AMD treatment, how they work, and their potential side effects. To learn more about your dry AMD treatment options, talk to your ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

What Is Dry AMD?

Dry AMD is an eye disease that affects the retina — the tissue that lines the back of the eye. The retina contains special receptors that take in light to create the images you see. The central part of the retina is known as the macula, which is responsible for your central vision. It helps you sharply focus on objects so that you can recognize faces, read, and drive safely.

In dry AMD, the tissues that nourish the macula wear out over time. In some cases, dry AMD progresses to geographic atrophy (GA). This is the late stage of dry AMD that causes severe vision loss. In GA, the eye’s retinal cells begin dying off and wasting away. People with geographic atrophy have blind spots that make it hard to see well enough for daily activities like reading and driving.

Most dry AMD treatments address intermediate- and advanced-stage AMD. The overall goal is to slow disease progression to help prevent vision loss. Although you can’t undo any of the damage caused by AMD, you can try to stop it from becoming worse.

Below are four ways eye doctors treat dry AMD. We’ll also discuss new treatments being studied in clinical trials.

1. AREDS Supplements

Researchers have found that vitamin supplements can help slow how quickly dry AMD progresses. A large clinical trial called Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) was conducted in people with AMD. The study authors showed that taking certain vitamin and mineral supplements slowed AMD progression. Specifically, the supplements helped people with a lot of drusen — deposits of fats and proteins that form beneath the retina.

Your doctor may also recommend taking AREDS supplements to lower your risk of wet AMD. In wet macular degeneration, new blood vessels grow and leak blood underneath the retina. If you already have vision loss in one eye from AMD, AREDS supplements may prevent vision loss in your other eye.

Two forms of supplements help slow vision loss from AMD — AREDS and AREDS2. The table below shows which vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are found in each formulation. Ophthalmologists generally prefer the AREDS2 formula.

According to the National Eye Institute, people with intermediate and late AMD benefit most from AREDS and AREDS2 formulas. There’s no evidence that people with early-stage AMD or those without AMD should take AREDS. Read more about stages of AMD.

AREDS products are available over the counter under various brand names. However, before purchasing one, discuss with your doctor or ophthalmologist whether you’re a candidate for these supplements and which product is best for you.

Potential Risks

Be sure to let your doctor know if you smoke or have ever smoked. This is because the AREDS formula isn’t recommended for people with a history of smoking. Studies found that people who used to smoke and who took beta-carotene supplements in AREDS were more likely to develop lung cancer.

AREDS and AREDS2 supplements contain higher concentrations of vitamins and minerals than your body may be used to. You may notice a change in how you digest or tolerate certain foods. Nutritional supplements can also interact with other medications you take. Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements.

2. Pegcetacoplan Injections

Until 2023, no dry AMD treatments had been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Thanks to the hard work of doctors and researchers, there are now two medications for treating geographic atrophy that develops as a result of AMD. The first of these, pegcetacoplan (Syfovre) is an injection given into the eye every 25 to 60 days. It helps control inflammation to treat geographic atrophy.

Your immune system helps protect you from infection and illness. However, extra inflammation from an overactive immune system can damage healthy cells. In people with advanced AMD, the immune system overreacts in the eyes. This causes cell damage that makes AMD symptoms worse.

Pegcetacoplan works by blocking a specific part of the immune system known as the complement system. An important protein called C3 helps turn on the complement system to kill foreign invaders. Researchers developed pegcetacoplan to block C3 so that it won’t activate complement proteins. This reduces inflammation and prevents GA-related eye damage.

In clinical trials, pegcetacoplan helped slow the progression of geographic atrophy.

Potential Risks

Side effects seen in the studies include:

• Eye discomfort
• Tiny specks or strings that drift across the field of vision (floaters)
• Wet AMD
• Bleeding in the conjunctiva (the thin, clear layer of tissue that protects your eye)

3. Avacincaptad Pegol Injections

Avacincaptad pegol (Izervay) is another FDA-approved treatment given by injection for geographic atrophy that has developed as a result of AMD. This medication works by blocking C5, another complement system protein. Researchers have found that blocking C5 helps treat GA inflammation.

Large clinical studies found that avacincaptad pegol injections significantly slow the growth of areas of atrophy. This means that the treatment can help preserve your vision over time.

Potential Risks

Researchers found that the potential side effects of avacincaptad pegol include:

• Bleeding in the conjunctiva
• Increased pressure from fluid buildup in the eye
• Blurred vision
• Wet AMD

4. Lifestyle Changes To Protect Your Eyes

Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes to support your eye health — as well as your overall health.

Eat for Eye Health

You should focus on eating a diet high in antioxidants to fight inflammation. These compounds are found in dark, leafy green vegetables and bell peppers. Including foods high in omega-3 fatty acids — like fish — can also keep your eyes healthy.

Quit Smoking

Smoking tobacco products is a risk factor for developing AMD. If you currently smoke, talk to your doctor about resources for quitting.

Wear Sun Protection

It’s also a good idea to protect your eyes from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays. Be sure to wear sunglasses or a hat while outside.

Boost Your Heart Health

Your heart health is closely connected to your eye health. Your doctor will encourage you to maintain a healthy blood pressure level to avoid making AMD worse. In addition to eating a healthy diet and quitting smoking, being physically active can help your heart. Experts at NYU Langone Health recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.

5. Drugs in Clinical Trials

Before a new drug is approved by the FDA, it needs to go through clinical trials. These studies help ensure that the treatment is safe and effective to use in the general public. Current clinical trials for dry AMD are studying:

• Photobiomodulation, which uses light therapy to stimulate retinal cells
• New medications such as elamipretide
• Transplantation treatments to introduce healthy retinal cells

Ophthalmology researchers are often recruiting people with different stages of dry AMD to join studies. Your eye doctor can provide more information on current studies and whether you may be eligible to join one.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myAMDteam, the social network for people with age-related macular degeneration and their loved ones, members who understand life with age-related macular degeneration come together to share support, advice, and stories from their daily lives.

Are you living with dry age-related macular degeneration? What treatments have you received to manage your symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below, or post a comment on your Activities page.