Vissum - Ophthalmology Corporation

More than 750,000 Spanish people over 65 years suffer from this disease. It is the leading cause of blindness among the elderly in developed countries, affecting the retina (macula), reducing central vision and interfering with everyday activities like reading, writing or cooking, which require visual acuity. 

As its name suggests, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disease which affects a small area of the retina ( mácula ) where lies the vision of detail for focusing everything we watch.  If the macula is altered, we will not suffer from blindness, but we will lose central vision.

The person suffering from AMD has troubles in driving, reading, watching television, recognize faces of family and friends, and all kinds of activities requiring visual acuity. This eye condition produces no pain or no discomfort except the impairment of visual function.

More than 750,000 Spanish people over 65 years suffer from this disease. It is the leading cause of blindness among the elderly in developed countries and its prevalence increases with age, multiplying the risk by four in those over 75 years.

Therefore, an early detection of this disease and its eye problems associated can lead to more effective treatment. It is necessary a regular eye test by an ophthalmologist in order to detect diseases which are better treated thanks to an early diagnosis. This is important, specially if patient is over 55 years of age or if the family has a history of retina diseases.

Patients who suffer from Age-related Macular Degeneration ( AMD ) have the most recent and effective treatment against this ocular condition in VISSUM : Photodynamic therapy.

The treatment involves the application throughout an intravenous injection of an inactive product which is sensitive to light and has a special fixation on injured areas of the retina.

After 15 minutes, this product is activated by a special laser that does not affect the healthy retina.

This treatment can improve and stop the progression of the disease in most of the patients.

In addition VISSUM provides to AMD patients with the most advanced low-vision assistance in order to help to minimize visual disturbance as well as a new surgical procedure called macular translocation which is indicated in special cases. This technique allows restoration of visual acuity in this disease, especially in myopic patients.