Glossary

Macugen - Pegaptanib - By its chemical name is an anti-angiogenic drug that has been approved to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is administered by injection into the eye. Anti-angiogenics is a class of drug that prevents the formation of abnormal new blood vessels in the eye and dries up vessels which have already begun to leak.

Macula - The small central yellow area of the retina in the human eye and which contains the fovea which is responsible for central vision. This area contains cone photoreceptors needed for high acuity vision and colour perception.

Macular Oedema - Swelling due to fluid and protein deposits under the macula region in the eye. The swelling may distort and blur the central vision.

Monovision - A form of temporary visual correction usually by contact lenses that allows distance vision in one eye and near vision in the other. When the eyes are used together, near and far objects are seen. It can also be a treatment option in laser refractive surgery.

Multifocal Lenses - Lenses in which the power gradually increases towards the lower edge. This enables clear vision at all distances. They are available as spectacle lenses, contact lenses or implantable lenses (IOLs).

Myopia - The condition in which light is focused in front of the retina causing distant objects to be blurred. It is corrected by wearing concave lenses to diverge light back onto the retina to be focused clearly.