Classical, Micropulse and NanoSecond Laser Therapy in Dry-Form (Non-Neovascular) Age Related Macular Degeneration

Age related macular degeneration (AMD), which is a multifactorial, degenerative disease of retina, is the most common reason of legal blindness over 50 years of age. Dry-form (non neovascular) AMD is the common type, and frequently non progressive to total vision loss. Epidemiological, histopathological and biochemical data demonstrate that AMD is associated with oxidative damage, lipofuscin accumulation, chronic inflammation, and mutations in the complement system. Drusen, hyperpigmentation/hypopigmentation in retinal pigment epithelium, and geographical atrophy can also be observed in dry-form AMD. Various treatment modalities can be used according to the stages of the disease. Antioxidants, visual cycle inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, neuroprotective treatment, conventional, micropulse and nano-second laser applications are intended to regulate the various mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.