It is estimated that 200 million people worldwide are currently living with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of vision loss for older adults. For several decades now, treatments have been available to slow the progress of this disease, and with each passing year, medical advancements move us closer to a cure. In this article, we explore 6 promising new treatments for macular degeneration, including gene therapy, novel drugs, and other technologies.
What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is a medical condition affecting the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. If we think of the eye like a camera: Light passes through several layers, including the cornea, the natural lens, and the jelly-like vitreous until it reaches the retina at the back. The macula, a highly specialized part of the retina, is located at the center of the back of the eye. Macular degeneration damages this area, making it harder to see fine details, recognize faces, or distinguish colors.
There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration is the more common form of AMD, accounting for the majority of cases. Dry AMD occurs when tiny protein deposits called drusen build up under the retina and interfere with the macula’s ability to function correctly. With wet AMD, what is happening is that your body is attempting to “fix” the dry macular degeneration problem by creating new blood vessels to supply more oxygen and nutrients. While helpful in other parts of the body, this does more harm than good in the eye. These new blood vessels often leak fluid, which then damages your vision faster than dry macular degeneration might. It is important to note that you cannot develop wet AMD without having dry AMD first.
Current Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatment
Current treatment for AMD depends on the type and stage of the disease. A comprehensive eye exam, utilizing tools like a visual field test, Amsler grid, fluorescein angiography, and OCT scans, can determine a patient’s progression and inform the care plan.
For individuals with dry AMD, there are currently no widely accepted medical treatments. Management focuses on slowing the progression of the disease. Recommendations include:
- Eating a nutritious diet high in antioxidants
- Quitting smoking
- Keeping blood pressure under control
- If recommended by your doctor, taking vitamin supplements containing lutein or zeaxanthin
For wet AMD, an injectable medication called an anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) can stop the growth of excess blood vessels and reduce leakage. Ranibizumab (Lucentis), aflibercept (Eylea), and bevacizumab (Avastin), the three primary drugs used today, are injected directly into the eye, generally on a regular schedule. Studies have found anti-VEGF treatment to stabilize vision in 90% of patients, and in 30%, the medication actually improves vision. In addition to anti-VEGF medicine, other wet AMD treatments may include laser therapy and photodynamic therapy.
6 Promising New Treatments for Macular Degeneration
While we are still working toward a cure, new treatments for macular degeneration are emerging, driven by a greater understanding of underlying disease mechanisms, with the hope of targeting not just the symptoms of AMD, but the root causes. The goal remains to preserve, or improve, vision and deliver treatments to patients in as minimally invasive a way as possible.
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is currently being explored for both wet and dry AMD. Unlike current injectable treatments, gene therapy aims to “teach” the eye to make its own anti-VEGF proteins, potentially reducing the need for patients to endure frequent, uncomfortable injections. The two top prospects for wet AMD include RGX-314 and ADVM-022, both of which are in clinical trials. Gene therapy may also be effective for dry AMD as well, with HMR59 and GT005 as the two candidates showing promise in reducing the geographic atrophy of late-stage dry AMD.
Stem Cell Therapy for AMD
Stem cell therapy focuses on replacing retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells that are damaged or lost due to AMD with healthy ones derived from stem cells. While early studies are promising, current research focuses on developing a safe, effective delivery system for these lab-created cells that allows them to integrate properly into the retina and function long-term. If successful, stem cell therapy could offer a way to actually restore vision by repairing the damage done by AMD.
Complement Inhibitors for Late-Stage Dry AMD
In the advanced stage of dry AMD, called geographic atrophy, the disease causes a progressive growth of lesions that start at the edge of the retina and move inward toward the macula. Research suggests that a part of the immune system called the complement system contributes to this degeneration. The complement system typically helps the body to fight infection and clear damaged cells, but in the case of dry AMD, this system can go into overdrive, increasing inflammation and attacking healthy retinal tissue. To combat this process, a new class of drugs called complement inhibitors aim to reduce immune overactivity. Called pegcetacoplan (Syfovre) and avacincaptad pegol (Izervay), these medications were approved in 2023 after showing significant reduction in lesion growth rate.
Long-Acting Anti-VEGF Drugs for Wet AMD
While anti-VEGF injections have proven effectiveness, one of the downsides of these medications is the frequency of dosing required. The procedure involves using a fine needle to inject medication into the gel-like vitreous of the eye, and on average, patients must undergo this procedure every few months. While the procedure itself may sound uncomfortable, the greater challenge reported by patients is generally the number of shots required. Many AMD patients are older and have limited mobility or transportation, and it can be challenging to find a caregiver or family member to assist with regular appointments. Long-acting anti-VEGF drugs aim to eliminate this challenge by reducing the frequency of injections required for treatment by offering sustained-release in one dose. Such treatments were approved in 2023 and are known as aflibercept (Eylea HD) and faricimab (Vabysmo).
Novel Anti-VEGF Drug Delivery System for Wet AMD
Alongside new long-lasting anti-VEGF medications, another solution to reduce the frequency of injections for patients comes in the form of a surgically implanted device called ranibizumab (Susvimo). This implant, placed just under the eyelid, provides continuous release of medication over a period of typically 6 months, at which point it needs to be refilled. Though the procedure to implant the device requires a minor surgery as well as routine monitoring, the system delivers outcomes equal to standard anti-VEGF treatments, while reducing the need for frequent office visits.
Light Therapy
In 2024, the FDA approved a non-invasive treatment for dry AMD called photobiomodulation, or more simply, light therapy. Branded the Valeda Light Delivery System, this method uses red and near-infrared light to stimulate mitochondria cells in the eye to produce more energy and improve cellular function. Studies demonstrated that this therapy slows the progression toward more severe vision loss, and some participants actually experienced improved vision. Light therapy has been used for some time to treat a range of other skin and musculoskeletal conditions. It has also been studied for other eye diseases, including childhood myopia, diabetic eye disease, and retinitis pigmentosa.
Conclusion
The introduction of anti-VEGF medications several decades ago was a significant step in battling vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration. Now, in 2025, we are seeing advancements in research that aim to not just stop the progression of disease, but to restore sight—and to achieve this in a more personalized and minimally invasive way. Regarding new treatments for macular degeneration, the future looks bright.
At Midwest Low Vision, our goal is to help individuals with AMD and other degenerative eye conditions regain functional eyesight despite their conditions. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help, get in touch with us today.