Exosome Therapy for Age Related Macular Degeneration

Exosome treatment now comes as the new hope for AMD, which happens to be the common eye condition that afflicts millions of people during their old age. AMD is known to cause blurred vision in some and in the worst case, total loss of vision and complicates simple everyday actions. Exosomes are small vesicles produced originally by cells through healing and cellular communication. This therapy helps enhance damaged cells in the retina. It could slow or even improve AMD symptoms. This therapy is giving new hope to people who would love to preserve their vision.

Let’s find out some other things about this treatment option which helps you to gain knowledge about this treatment.

Symptoms of AMD

Age related macular degeneration or AMD is a disease of the eye that affects the centre part of the retina known as the macula. AMD leads to loss of vision by possibly causing damage to the sharp and clear area of central vision. It occurs in older adults and its progression is slow. The patients may have some slight symptoms at the initial stage but at a later stage, it becomes embarrassing to see things clearly. AMD may not cause full blindness but it may stop reading or driving or even face recognition ability considerably. With detection at the very beginning itself, the progression of AMD may be checked and quality of life improved.

• Blurry or fuzzy vision: Objects won’t clear up, more clearly or especially when concentrating on a straight line in the distance.

• Sensitivity to dim light: Problems may occur when seeing clearly in reduced visibility settings, such as reading in dim rooms.

• Distorted vision: Straight lines might appear wavy or curved, making things appear out of shape.

• Dark spots or blindness: A dark spot or blank may appear in the middle of your vision and make it difficult to see objects right in front of you.

• Slow recovery from bright lights: Eyes may take more time to recover if they have been exposed to bright lights like those from the sun.

• Colors fade: The colors may not appear as brilliant or vivid as previously and may be confused with each other.

• Increased need for brighter light: You may require more light in carrying out some of your work, such as reading or cooking.

How Does Age Macular Degeneration Affect Your Life?

AMD usually occurs with older adults, and as it progresses, your vision can become blurry or distorted. Sometimes you even lose central vision while the clear vision remains peripheral.

Life with AMD is not easy. Such a condition makes routine daily activities challenging, such as seeing the things that are around you, reading books, cooking, buying groceries, or even watching television. It sometimes frustrates people or strips them of their independence because they can’t do things they love anymore.

AMD rarely leads to complete loss of vision, but significantly worsens the quality of your life. This medical condition  can be diagnosed through regular visits with an eye doctor even at an early state and therefore help slow down its advancement. Treatment can include special glasses, medication, or laser therapy but cannot result in a complete cure. You must remain positive and continue adjusting your lifestyle with respect to the changes occurring with your vision in order to continue to live life at its highest potential.

Role of Exosomes Treatment in Treating AMD

Exosomes now seem to be the hope for AMD, a common eye condition affecting the macula in the central retina area of the eye, responsible for clear vision. Exosomes are protein-rich, lipid-rich, nucleic acid-rich vesicles secreted by cells among others, including cultivated stem cells. Most cell to cell communication is done through these vesicles, which have been essential in healing damaged tissues. Let’s take an example, exosomes in AMD might suppress inflammation, cause less cell death, and expedite repair of the damaged cells due to the disease itself. This revolutionary therapy would rescue many afflicted patients with AMD without resorting to interventions that are so invasive. Some Important role of exosome treatment in treating AMD:

• Anti-inflammatory properties: These exosomes have anti-inflammatory molecules associated with them that may cause a reduction in inflammation within the retina.

• Protects retinal cells from further damage: The exosomes protect the cells inside the retina from further damage and slow down the progress of AMD.

• Improves tissue regeneration: Exosomes improve tissue repair and enable some aspect of lost function in the eye.

• Minimally invasive treatment: Compared to surgeries or multiple injections, exosome therapy is less invasive and can be a tolerable treatment for the patients.

• Decrease oxidative stress: Oxidative stress is the other major cause of damage in AMD within the retina. They decrease it.

Future Potential of Exosome Therapy For AMD

Exosome therapy is one of the stunning emerging therapies for a leading cause of vision loss in many parts of the world called age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It may heal damaged tissues through small vesicles called exosomes.

Exosomes have the capability to deliver therapeutic proteins and molecules directly to the affected area. This may lead to targeted, less invasive treatments. While its effectiveness is yet confirmed by further study and offers hope for millions of patients.