RECENT TRENDS IN THE MANAGEMENT

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of irreversible loss of vision. The disease adversely affects quality of life and activities of daily living, causing many affected individuals to lose their independence in their retirement years, in the 45-64year age group .about 1.4% of population in the age group of 65-74, and 7.1 %of the population in the age group above age of 75years had late stages of ARMD.Although the exact etiology of ARMD is still obscure, many risk factors have been suggested include blue iris, light pigmented ocular fundus, long-term exposure to sun light, smoking, familial and genetic factors, alcohol intake, systemic hypertension and eyes after cataract extraction . Nevertheless ,aging is the most important variable linked to the development of ARMD.Macular degenerative changes have typically been classified into tow clinical forms, dry and wet, both of which can lead to visual loss.