Macular Degeneration Treatment in Islamabad & Rawalpindi
Specialist AMD management by Dr. Muhammad Amjad at Al-Shifa Eye Hospital Rawalpindi and Islamabad — anti-VEGF injections, OCT-guided monitoring, and long-term care.
What is macular degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible central vision loss in adults over 50 in the developed world, and increasingly common in Pakistan. It affects the macula — the small central area of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision used for reading, driving, and recognising faces.
AMD comes in two forms with very different behaviour and treatments:
- Dry AMD — slow atrophy of the macula. Progresses over years. No approved treatment, but supplements help.
- Wet AMD — abnormal blood vessel growth causes rapid, severe central vision loss. Treatable with injections.
Symptoms — what to watch for
- Blurred or distorted central vision — particularly affecting reading and fine detail
- Straight lines appearing wavy or bent (metamorphopsia)
- A blank or dark spot in the centre of vision
- Difficulty recognising faces
- Colours appearing less vivid
- Needing more light to read than previously
If you notice sudden distortion or a new central blur, contact the clinic promptly — this may indicate conversion from dry to wet AMD, which requires urgent treatment.
Treatment for wet AMD
The standard of care for wet AMD is intravitreal anti-VEGF injection therapy. Drugs such as Avastin (bevacizumab), Eylea (aflibercept), and Lucentis (ranibizumab) block the VEGF protein that drives abnormal vessel growth and leakage. Most patients require:
- 3 monthly loading injections to establish control of disease activity
- Followed by ongoing injections every 4–12 weeks depending on OCT response
- OCT scan at every visit to assess retinal fluid and guide treatment decisions
- Long-term follow-up — AMD is a chronic condition requiring ongoing management
Monitoring for dry AMD
Dry AMD does not currently have a medical treatment, but regular monitoring is essential because:
- Approximately 15% of dry AMD converts to wet AMD — detectable early with OCT
- AREDS2 supplements reduce the risk of progression in intermediate-to-advanced dry AMD
- Visual rehabilitation support can be arranged if central vision is significantly affected
Why choose Dr. Muhammad Amjad?
- Fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital London — one of the world's highest-volume centres for AMD and medical retina treatment
- FRCOphth — Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, UK
- OCT-guided treat-and-extend protocol — every injection decision is based on your scan, not a fixed calendar
- Full range of anti-VEGF agents: Avastin, Eylea, and Lucentis — the right drug for your disease pattern
- If AMD progresses to surgical complications, vitreoretinal surgery is available from the same surgeon
- Injection clinic at Al-Shifa Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi (Mon & Sat) and Blue Area clinic, Islamabad by arrangement
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between wet and dry macular degeneration?
Dry AMD is the more common form and progresses slowly over years. Small deposits (drusen) form under the retina and the retinal pigment epithelium gradually atrophies. There is currently no approved treatment for dry AMD, but dietary supplements (AREDS2 formula) may slow progression in intermediate disease. Wet AMD is less common but more aggressive: abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina, leaking fluid and blood and causing rapid central vision loss. Wet AMD is treatable with anti-VEGF injections.
How are Avastin and Eylea injections given for AMD?
Anti-VEGF drugs (Avastin, Eylea, Lucentis) are injected directly into the vitreous gel of the eye (intravitreal injection) at the injection clinic. Anaesthetic drops are applied first. The injection takes 2–3 seconds and is not usually painful. Most patients need an initial loading phase of 3 monthly injections, followed by a maintenance schedule based on their OCT scan results. Treatment is ongoing — stopping injections often leads to disease reactivation.
Will I go blind from macular degeneration?
AMD affects central vision — the high-resolution vision used for reading, recognising faces, and seeing detail. Peripheral vision is usually preserved, meaning complete blindness is rare. However, untreated wet AMD can cause severe, irreversible central vision loss within weeks to months. With prompt treatment, most patients maintain useful vision. Dry AMD progresses slowly, and only a minority develop advanced disease.
What does the Amsler grid test tell me?
The Amsler grid is a simple home monitoring tool — a grid of horizontal and vertical lines with a central dot. Patients with AMD are asked to test each eye separately while covering the other and to look at the central dot. If lines appear wavy, distorted, or if areas of the grid are missing, this may indicate a change in disease activity — particularly conversion to wet AMD — and requires prompt review.
Can diet or lifestyle changes help AMD?
Yes. Risk factors include smoking (strongly associated — stopping smoking significantly reduces risk), cardiovascular disease, and UV exposure. AREDS2 supplementation (a specific formula of vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc) has been shown to reduce progression risk in intermediate to advanced dry AMD. A diet rich in leafy green vegetables, oily fish, and antioxidants supports macular health.
How often will I need to come for injections?
Most wet AMD patients receive monthly injections for the first 3 months (loading phase), then a personalised schedule based on their OCT scan results — typically every 4–12 weeks. Dr. Amjad uses a treat-and-extend or pro re nata (PRN) protocol depending on disease behaviour. Regular attendance is essential — missed injections significantly increase the risk of vision loss.
Nazar ke beech mein dhundlapan ya tedhi lines — kya yeh serious hai?
Agar aap dekhte hain ke seedhi lines tedhi lag rahi hain, ya nazar ke beech mein ek dhundla ya khaali jagah hai, toh yeh macular degeneration (AMD) ya diabetic macular oedema ki alamat ho sakti hai. Yeh aankh ka ek serious masla hai — khaas tor par 'wet AMD' mein nazar bahut jald kharab ho sakti hai. Fauran specialist se milna zaroori hai. Dr. Muhammad Amjad Al-Shifa Eye Hospital Rawalpindi aur Blue Area Islamabad clinic mein AMD aur retinal diseases ke specialist hain. Appointment: doctoramjad.com/book ya WhatsApp +92 327 850 6363.
Medical Disclaimer
This page is for general information only. AMD management is highly individualised. Please consult Dr. Amjad for a thorough assessment of your specific condition.