Macumira | Health Canada's First Approved Treatment for Dry Macular Degeneration

Macumira is the first clinically proven and approved treatment for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration. 

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a disease of the eye, and the leading cause of vision loss in older adults. It’s estimated 2.5 million Canadians suffer from some form of AMD.

It begins when a part of your retina called the macula becomes damaged. The macula is part of the retina at the back of the eye. It is responsible for our central vision, most of our colour vision and the fine detail of what we see.

The early stages of AMD have no noticeable symptoms, though a health-care professional can help detect it with testing. In the intermediate stages patients will report difficulty seeing in low light and slight blurriness in the center of their vision.  In the more advanced stages significant blurring, dark spots, dulling of colours and permeant (partial or complete) central vision loss occurs.

Risk factors for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

• Age
• Excessive UV light exposure
• Cardiovascular disease
• Poor diet high in saturated fats
• Smoking
• Family History
• Caucasian ethnicity most at risk

There are two types of macular degeneration: dry and wet. Dry is the more common form that represents about 90% of cases.  It is typically a more gradual onset of macular cell and vision deterioration. The early stages are often asymptomatic however, the intermediate and more advanced stages of AMD causes blurring the central vision, dulling of colours and difficulty seeing in low light.  Historically the very limited treatment options were available – wearing UV protection, taking AREDS2 vitamins, smoking cessation and dietary considerations. Macumira is specially designed to treat Dry AMD.

Wet AMD is much less common, it represents about 10% of cases. However this form of AMD is far more serious and considered to be an ocular emergency.  Our eye exams utilize OCT technology to determine if the Macula is dry and wet.  Wet AMD is when new, abnormal blodd vessels grow underneath the retina. These vessels can leak blood and other fluids resulting in scarring of the retina. Vision loss is much more rapid and ocular injections by a Retinal Specialist are required on an urgent basis.  Wet AMD can develop at any point in the progression of Dry AMD.  This is why our eye doctors often want to monitor patients with Dry AMD more often (i.e. every 6 months).

Macumira was developed by an Ophthalmologist in Vancouver. Their recent clinical trial showed:

Treatment group: 

• 48%, of the patients improved by at least 10 letters on the ETDRS acuity chart
• All patients in the treatment group showed improved vision
• Improved by an average of8 ETDRS letters along with a 25%average increase in ETDRS acuity with no adverse effects
• Treated patients maintained their visual improvements for the duration of the trial

Placebo group: 

• Patient’s visual acuity down by 2% on average 

Dr. Udenberg is thrilled to be able to offer a new effective, painless and Health Canada approved treatment for Dry AMD.  If you have Dry AMD or a family history of AMD contact us today to learn more. No referral is needed and new patients are welcome.

Currently, Kalamalka Eye Care is the only office in the North Okanagan offering treatment of Dry AMD with Macumira.