Evaluated for: Wet macular degeneration
How it works: Submacular surgery is a procedure in which lesions associated with wet macular degeneration (i.e., bleeding beneath the retina, abnormal blood vessels, and scar tissue) are removed. The difference between submacular surgery and other surgical procedures used to treat wet macular degeneration is that the aim of submacular surgery is to completely remove rather than seal or partially destroy abnormal vessels and scar tissue. The rationale for this surgical approach is that removal of the abnormal vessels may halt enlargement of the visual defect, spare the cells in the central macula that are responsible for detailed or fine vision (i.e., vision required for reading), and allow the surrounding or adjacent tissue to function normally.
Most common side effects: Cataract formation, macular hole, and retinal detachment may occur.
Miscellaneous: According to a clinical study funded by the National Eye Institute called the Submacular Surgery Trials (SST) which was conducted from 1997 to 2003, submacular surgery is not highly recommended as a treatment option for patients with wet macular degeneration as it was not found to significantly improve or preserve vision.
A thoughtful evaluation must be performed by a physician before taking any medications, over-the-counter drugs, supplements, or herbs. The American Health Assistance Foundation does not endorse any of these medications, vitamins, or herbs. A qualified physician should make an informed decision based on each person's medical history and current prescriptions. The medication summaries provided do not include all of the information important for patient use and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. The prescribing physician should be consulted concerning any questions that you have.
The information provided in this section of our website was obtained from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Eye institute (NEI), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Library of Medicine, and research scientists specializing in macular degeneration.
Reviewed on 2/14/2008