The macular is the central part of the retina and is the area where the fine detail of sight is formed so it is very important. Sometimes the macular degenerates blurred vision occurs. This is often the first sign that something is wrong with the eye. Distorted vision is also a symptom and if either of these conditions occur you should visit your nearest doctor as soon as possible. The condition can be treated, but like all illnesses, the quicker it can be caught the better. If left completely untreated macular degeneration can lead to blindness.
It isn't completely accurate to refer to just one condition known as macular degeneration. In fact there is dry age related macular degeneration, and wet age related macular degeneration. Dry AMD develops very slowly and is caused by the light sensitive cells breaking down as described above. Wet AMD is much rarer and is more serious too as it is more likely to lead to complete blindness if not treated.
This occurs when the blood vessels in the eye begin to grow at an abnormal rate. This growth forces the retina away from the eye wall and this detachment is extremely serious and will eventually lead to blindness. The signs of wet AMD are seeing straight lines as slightly curved and medical attention is vital immediately.
There are treatments available for both these conditions. Dry AMD is the much less serious condition of the two, and even making a few lifestyle changes can go some way to keeping the condition from worsening. Dry AMD occurs through the aging of the eye, so you can slow this down considerably by making your eyes more healthy and strong. This can be done through making healthy lifestyle changes and carrying out special eye exercises too. The condition can be slowed right down with simple changes to your everyday life such as these. Eating plenty of vegetables that are rich in vitamins and minerals is vital too.
If the condition is in the early stages then the eye doctor may well prescribe a course of injections with an anti-vascular endothelial growth drug. If the condition is too advanced or if these drugs do not help the problem then laser treatment may be able to stop the progression of the problem, although it cannot return vision that has been lost.
Eye surgery is quick and painless and the recovery period is short. That makes it a viable option for many people. Whilst the cost of such a treatment was extremely high many years ago, today the price is much more affordable. Because it is able to halt the growth of problems, it is extremely popular and has helped thousands of people across the UK. Regular check ups are absolutely vital if you want to catch any problems such as this early on.
There is a selection of macular degeneration treatment available and your eye doctor will prescribe that which is the most appropriate. Laser vision correction surgery is an effective way to restore sight and prevent the condition from worsening. Laser eye surgery can be used to treat other conditions too for example it is highly effective in cataracts surgery.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Stargardt Macular Degeneration
By: Macular Degeneration In General
One of the more popular juvenile macular degeneration is the Stargardt Macular Degeneration. This category of macular degenerationi was first reported in 1901 by a German ophthalmologist, Karl Stargardt. It has the common feature of loss of central vision. In 1963, France ophthalmologist Adolphe Fransceschetti used the term Fundus flavimaculatus for a degenerative loss of central vision, but soon to be identified as Stargardt Macular Degeneration by Hadden and Gass in 1976.
This macular dystrophy affects about one in every 10,000 children. The problem may start anytime between the ages 6 and 20, but patients may not notice until they reach their 30s or 40s. First, the children may experience difficulty in reading, and complaining of some blind spots that are often gray, black or hazy at their central vision. They will need more time to adjust between the different lighting of the room too, between light and dark environments.
The dystrophy affects the retina, that sensitive tissue that lies at the back of the eye, focusing especially in the middle region called the macula. The macula is where focus is, that area that is highly sensitive and strong enough to give us the sharp central vision for tasks such as reading, driving and recognising faces.
Stargardt macular degeneration is similar to dry macular degeneration, with the build-up of abnormal yellow pigment substance called lipofuscin building up in cells underlying the macula. Patients will also experience problem with night vision, and it will be difficult for them to move around in places with low lighting. In some others, the patient may also experience colour impairment at advanced stages of the disease.
Vision loss is usually slow, until the 20/40 level. It may suddenly shoot right up to 20/200 where the patient is considered legally blind and forbidden from driving. In some cases, it may even deteriorate to 10/200 within a matter of months.
Genes are a big issue when it comes to Stargardt macular degeneration. A group of genes collectively known as the ABC genes, was found to be the culprit of this juvenile macular degeneration, a discovery made since 1997. The ABCA4 gene, responsible for the production of protein used as an energy transport to and from photoreceptor cells in the retina, mutates and produces dysfunctional protein that cannot perform such transport function. The useless ABCA4 protein then allows the accumulation of yellow, fatty material to accumulate in the retina, slowly covering the macularand ultimately causes the loss of vision. However, more studies had to be done to further understand how the mutated genes affect the biochemistry of the retina.
All is not lost for patients with Stargardt disease. It was found that patients may slow down the progression of vision loss by wearing UV protective sunglasses and avoid exposure to bright light. Although there is not yet any effective treatment for this form of macular degeneration at this moment, it is believed that the identification of the genes behind macular degeneration will help the search for new strategies and therapies. The latest is a study scheduled to begin in 2011, for the injection of embryonic stem cells into the eyes of twelve patients affected by the disease. The Advanced Cell Technology announced in November 2010 that the FDA had approved this injection and study.
Stargardt Macular Degeneration may be either autosomal or recessive trait type. A person may not have prior family history, but may have a recessive gene. If both parents carry a mutated gene, there is always a chance for the child to develop macular dystrophy. In fact, there may be more than one family member who gets Stargardt. For children who did not develop Stargardt, there is again the possibility of carrying the mutant gene, and pass on to their children instead. The chances will be 25%.
Three tests are used to check the presence of fundus flecks and the loss of cones to determine whether a patient has Stargardt Macular Degeneration. It may be fluorescein angiography, electroretinography or electrooculography. Since this problem is rare, it is not a widely studied subject. The discovery of genetic mutation in Stargardt may have encouraged the findings of genetic links for age-related macular degeneration, but further studies on the age-related macular degeneration may also become the contributing factor towards better understanding of Stargardt’s disease and its possible lead to new treatment. Whichever way it may be, it will always remain hopeful for parents and their affected children.
One of the more popular juvenile macular degeneration is the Stargardt Macular Degeneration. This category of macular degenerationi was first reported in 1901 by a German ophthalmologist, Karl Stargardt. It has the common feature of loss of central vision. In 1963, France ophthalmologist Adolphe Fransceschetti used the term Fundus flavimaculatus for a degenerative loss of central vision, but soon to be identified as Stargardt Macular Degeneration by Hadden and Gass in 1976.
This macular dystrophy affects about one in every 10,000 children. The problem may start anytime between the ages 6 and 20, but patients may not notice until they reach their 30s or 40s. First, the children may experience difficulty in reading, and complaining of some blind spots that are often gray, black or hazy at their central vision. They will need more time to adjust between the different lighting of the room too, between light and dark environments.
The dystrophy affects the retina, that sensitive tissue that lies at the back of the eye, focusing especially in the middle region called the macula. The macula is where focus is, that area that is highly sensitive and strong enough to give us the sharp central vision for tasks such as reading, driving and recognising faces.
Stargardt macular degeneration is similar to dry macular degeneration, with the build-up of abnormal yellow pigment substance called lipofuscin building up in cells underlying the macula. Patients will also experience problem with night vision, and it will be difficult for them to move around in places with low lighting. In some others, the patient may also experience colour impairment at advanced stages of the disease.
Vision loss is usually slow, until the 20/40 level. It may suddenly shoot right up to 20/200 where the patient is considered legally blind and forbidden from driving. In some cases, it may even deteriorate to 10/200 within a matter of months.
Genes are a big issue when it comes to Stargardt macular degeneration. A group of genes collectively known as the ABC genes, was found to be the culprit of this juvenile macular degeneration, a discovery made since 1997. The ABCA4 gene, responsible for the production of protein used as an energy transport to and from photoreceptor cells in the retina, mutates and produces dysfunctional protein that cannot perform such transport function. The useless ABCA4 protein then allows the accumulation of yellow, fatty material to accumulate in the retina, slowly covering the macularand ultimately causes the loss of vision. However, more studies had to be done to further understand how the mutated genes affect the biochemistry of the retina.
All is not lost for patients with Stargardt disease. It was found that patients may slow down the progression of vision loss by wearing UV protective sunglasses and avoid exposure to bright light. Although there is not yet any effective treatment for this form of macular degeneration at this moment, it is believed that the identification of the genes behind macular degeneration will help the search for new strategies and therapies. The latest is a study scheduled to begin in 2011, for the injection of embryonic stem cells into the eyes of twelve patients affected by the disease. The Advanced Cell Technology announced in November 2010 that the FDA had approved this injection and study.
Stargardt Macular Degeneration may be either autosomal or recessive trait type. A person may not have prior family history, but may have a recessive gene. If both parents carry a mutated gene, there is always a chance for the child to develop macular dystrophy. In fact, there may be more than one family member who gets Stargardt. For children who did not develop Stargardt, there is again the possibility of carrying the mutant gene, and pass on to their children instead. The chances will be 25%.
Three tests are used to check the presence of fundus flecks and the loss of cones to determine whether a patient has Stargardt Macular Degeneration. It may be fluorescein angiography, electroretinography or electrooculography. Since this problem is rare, it is not a widely studied subject. The discovery of genetic mutation in Stargardt may have encouraged the findings of genetic links for age-related macular degeneration, but further studies on the age-related macular degeneration may also become the contributing factor towards better understanding of Stargardt’s disease and its possible lead to new treatment. Whichever way it may be, it will always remain hopeful for parents and their affected children.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Can Eye Drops With Pirenoxine Be Used to Treat Cataracts?
by;Dr. Ari Weitzner
For over 60 years, cataracts has been treated in China with eye drops containing the non-prescription drug pirenoxine.
Researchers recently tested the potential effectiveness of pirenoxine as a treatment for cataracts by investigating whether and how pirenoxine interacts with selenite or calcium ions, which have been proven as factors leading to the formation of lens cataracts.
As reported in the journal Inorganic Chemistry, researchers found that pirenoxine reduced the cloudiness of the lens solution containing calcium by 38 per cent and reduced the cloudiness of the selenite solution by 11 per cent.
Researchers concluded that the results may provide a rationale for using pirenoxine as an anti-cataract agent and advocated further biological studies.
For over 60 years, cataracts has been treated in China with eye drops containing the non-prescription drug pirenoxine.
Researchers recently tested the potential effectiveness of pirenoxine as a treatment for cataracts by investigating whether and how pirenoxine interacts with selenite or calcium ions, which have been proven as factors leading to the formation of lens cataracts.
As reported in the journal Inorganic Chemistry, researchers found that pirenoxine reduced the cloudiness of the lens solution containing calcium by 38 per cent and reduced the cloudiness of the selenite solution by 11 per cent.
Researchers concluded that the results may provide a rationale for using pirenoxine as an anti-cataract agent and advocated further biological studies.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Novartis gains new indication for Lucentis in EU for vision loss due to Diabetic Macular Edema
By:Financial
The European Commission has granted Novartis a new indication for Lucentis (ranibizumab) to treat patients with visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema (DME), a leading cause of blindness in the working-age population in most developed countries.
Laser therapy, the current standard of care, has provided stabilization of vision in many patients, but generally does not improve vision. Lucentis is the first licensed therapy to significantly improve both vision and vision-related quality of life in patients with visual impairment due to DME.
"Similarly to wet age related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema can cause disabling vision loss. While vision loss as a consequence of diabetes affects only a very small proportion of people with the disease, it is one of the most feared complications," said Don Curran, Chair, AMD Alliance International. "Visual impairment impacts everything from managing social interactions to the ability to work - thus, for most people it means a loss of independence."
The approval of Lucentis was based on data from two Novartis-sponsored clinical trials, RESTORE and RESOLVE, which showed that Lucentis was superior in providing rapid and sustained visual acuity gain versus sham (dummy) therapy or laser therapy, the current standard of care.
"In the clinical trials, Lucentis-treated patients began to recover their vision as early as eight days after the first injection on average, and vision improvement was maintained at one year," said Gabriele E. Lang, Professor, University Eye Hospital, University of Ulm, Germany. "The vision improvement for many of these patients was clinically significant, meaning that they regained the ability to carry out day-to-day activities such as driving."
The RESTORE study showed patients treated with Lucentis alone or with Lucentis plus laser therapy gained an average of 6.8 letters and 6.4 letters, respectively, in visual acuity at 12 months compared to baseline, while laser-treated patients gained an average of 0.9 letters as measured on a standard ETDRS eye chart.
The RESOLVE study showed that Lucentis-treated patients gained an average of 10.3 letters in visual acuity at 12 months compared to baseline while sham-treated patients, some of whom also received laser treatment, lost an average of 1.4 letters.
"Since its first launch in the EU in 2007, Lucentis has become the gold standard treatment of wet AMD and its use has stimulated research into other ocular conditions," said David Epstein, Division Head of Novartis Pharmaceuticals. "Our continued investment in the clinical development of Lucentis means that another group of patients who are at risk of losing their eyesight will have the option of a licensed therapy that could help save their vision."
"The pivotal data from RESTORE and RESOLVE studies are further supported by results of an independent US study examining Lucentis for the treatment of DME compared to standard of care. Conducted by the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (DRCR.net), this study showed that at 12 months patients treated with Lucentis plus laser gained an average of nine letters in visual acuity compared to baseline while patients treated with laser therapy alone gained an average of three to four letters. In addition, the study demonstrated superior gains in visual acuity among Lucentis-treated patients up to two years, with a reduced number of Lucentis injections required the second year compared to the first. Specifically, there was a median of only two to three injections required in the second year of treatment compared to a median of eight to nine injections required in the first year," Novartis said.
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a consequence of diabetic retinopathy, the most common diabetic eye complication. DME is characterized by changes in the blood vessels of the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. In patients with DME, leakage from these abnormal blood vessels occurs in the central portion of the retina, called the macula. Because this part of the eye is responsible for sharp central vision, DME can lead to significant visual impairment. Visual impairment due to DME affects approximately 1-3% of patients with diabetes, and DME is a leading cause of blindness in the working-age population in most developed countries.
Lucentis offers an entirely new pharmacological approach to treatment for visual impairment due to DME compared to the current standard of care, which involves the use of laser burns to stop capillary leakage and reduce swelling. Lucentis is an antibody fragment that is injected into the eye and neutralizes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein that is known to increase vascular permeability, resulting in capillary leakage and macular edema in patients with diabetes.
Lucentis was generally well tolerated in DME clinical studies, either when given as monotherapy or when combined with laser treatment. Its safety profile was consistent with the well established profile in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). There was an incidence of arterial thromboembolic events (<=3.5%) observed in the DME clinical trials, consistent with what was seen in the wet AMD clinical trials, with no significant difference between the groups treated with Lucentis compared to sham or laser therapy. Ocular adverse events were similar to those seen in the wet AMD trials, with an incidence of 1.4% endophthalmitis in the pooled pivotal studies.
Lucentis is currently licensed in more than 85 countries for the treatment of wet AMD. It receives continuous safety monitoring via a systematic pharmacovigilance system and there is more than 750,000 patient-treatment years of exposure to date for Lucentis.
Lucentis was developed by Genentech and Novartis. Genentech has the commercial rights to Lucentis in the United States, where Lucentis is also approved for the treatment of macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO). In addition, Genentech is conducting two Phase III studies, RISE and RIDE, in patients with diabetic macular edema with results expected in 2011. Novartis has exclusive rights in the rest of the world and has filed in the European Union for approval of Lucentis for the treatment of visual impairment due to macular edema secondary to RVO.
The European Commission has granted Novartis a new indication for Lucentis (ranibizumab) to treat patients with visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema (DME), a leading cause of blindness in the working-age population in most developed countries.
Laser therapy, the current standard of care, has provided stabilization of vision in many patients, but generally does not improve vision. Lucentis is the first licensed therapy to significantly improve both vision and vision-related quality of life in patients with visual impairment due to DME.
"Similarly to wet age related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema can cause disabling vision loss. While vision loss as a consequence of diabetes affects only a very small proportion of people with the disease, it is one of the most feared complications," said Don Curran, Chair, AMD Alliance International. "Visual impairment impacts everything from managing social interactions to the ability to work - thus, for most people it means a loss of independence."
The approval of Lucentis was based on data from two Novartis-sponsored clinical trials, RESTORE and RESOLVE, which showed that Lucentis was superior in providing rapid and sustained visual acuity gain versus sham (dummy) therapy or laser therapy, the current standard of care.
"In the clinical trials, Lucentis-treated patients began to recover their vision as early as eight days after the first injection on average, and vision improvement was maintained at one year," said Gabriele E. Lang, Professor, University Eye Hospital, University of Ulm, Germany. "The vision improvement for many of these patients was clinically significant, meaning that they regained the ability to carry out day-to-day activities such as driving."
The RESTORE study showed patients treated with Lucentis alone or with Lucentis plus laser therapy gained an average of 6.8 letters and 6.4 letters, respectively, in visual acuity at 12 months compared to baseline, while laser-treated patients gained an average of 0.9 letters as measured on a standard ETDRS eye chart.
The RESOLVE study showed that Lucentis-treated patients gained an average of 10.3 letters in visual acuity at 12 months compared to baseline while sham-treated patients, some of whom also received laser treatment, lost an average of 1.4 letters.
"Since its first launch in the EU in 2007, Lucentis has become the gold standard treatment of wet AMD and its use has stimulated research into other ocular conditions," said David Epstein, Division Head of Novartis Pharmaceuticals. "Our continued investment in the clinical development of Lucentis means that another group of patients who are at risk of losing their eyesight will have the option of a licensed therapy that could help save their vision."
"The pivotal data from RESTORE and RESOLVE studies are further supported by results of an independent US study examining Lucentis for the treatment of DME compared to standard of care. Conducted by the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (DRCR.net), this study showed that at 12 months patients treated with Lucentis plus laser gained an average of nine letters in visual acuity compared to baseline while patients treated with laser therapy alone gained an average of three to four letters. In addition, the study demonstrated superior gains in visual acuity among Lucentis-treated patients up to two years, with a reduced number of Lucentis injections required the second year compared to the first. Specifically, there was a median of only two to three injections required in the second year of treatment compared to a median of eight to nine injections required in the first year," Novartis said.
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a consequence of diabetic retinopathy, the most common diabetic eye complication. DME is characterized by changes in the blood vessels of the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. In patients with DME, leakage from these abnormal blood vessels occurs in the central portion of the retina, called the macula. Because this part of the eye is responsible for sharp central vision, DME can lead to significant visual impairment. Visual impairment due to DME affects approximately 1-3% of patients with diabetes, and DME is a leading cause of blindness in the working-age population in most developed countries.
Lucentis offers an entirely new pharmacological approach to treatment for visual impairment due to DME compared to the current standard of care, which involves the use of laser burns to stop capillary leakage and reduce swelling. Lucentis is an antibody fragment that is injected into the eye and neutralizes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein that is known to increase vascular permeability, resulting in capillary leakage and macular edema in patients with diabetes.
Lucentis was generally well tolerated in DME clinical studies, either when given as monotherapy or when combined with laser treatment. Its safety profile was consistent with the well established profile in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). There was an incidence of arterial thromboembolic events (<=3.5%) observed in the DME clinical trials, consistent with what was seen in the wet AMD clinical trials, with no significant difference between the groups treated with Lucentis compared to sham or laser therapy. Ocular adverse events were similar to those seen in the wet AMD trials, with an incidence of 1.4% endophthalmitis in the pooled pivotal studies.
Lucentis is currently licensed in more than 85 countries for the treatment of wet AMD. It receives continuous safety monitoring via a systematic pharmacovigilance system and there is more than 750,000 patient-treatment years of exposure to date for Lucentis.
Lucentis was developed by Genentech and Novartis. Genentech has the commercial rights to Lucentis in the United States, where Lucentis is also approved for the treatment of macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO). In addition, Genentech is conducting two Phase III studies, RISE and RIDE, in patients with diabetic macular edema with results expected in 2011. Novartis has exclusive rights in the rest of the world and has filed in the European Union for approval of Lucentis for the treatment of visual impairment due to macular edema secondary to RVO.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Macular Degeneration Treatments
by:Akler Eye Center
Macular degeneration, or Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is a condition related to aging of the eye that causes loss of the central vision. It is the commonest cause of blindness in Americans over 55 years old. Approximately 10 million people in the United States are affected. Smoking, high blood pressure, family history of ARMD, and poor diet are all risk factors for the development of ARMD.
The macula is the center most part of the retina, and is responsible for the sharp vision that allows us to read and drive. In some people, as the eye ages, deposits develop in the retina (dry ARMD). This can cause the macula to function imperfectly, which leads to blurry vision. Only 10% of patients develop the wet form of ARMD. In this more devastating form, abnormal blood vessels grow in the macula, and when they leak or bleed, severe loss of the central vision often results.
The symptoms of macular degeneration are blurring of the vision, which causes difficulty with reading or driving. Macular degeneration does not cause total blindness because the side vision is not affected.
At Akler Eye Center in Dearborn MI, a complete eye examination including dilation of the pupil will allow Dr. Akler to detect both mild and severe forms of macular degeneration. If ARMD is found, further testing may include a fluorescein angiogram and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Fluorescein angiography involves injecting dye into the arm and photographing it as it circulates in the retina. Abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage may be detected. OCT is a computerized picture of the macula that shows if it is swollen with fluid. Both of these tests are performed onsite.
Treatments for macular degeneration are primarily targeted at keeping the retina as healthy as possible and screening for early signs of the wet form of ARMD. A study performed by the National Eye Institute demonstrated that taking special vitamins for the eye that contain anti-oxidants (A, C, E and beta-carotene with zinc) reduces the risk of developing severe vision loss. A home screening tool known as an Amsler Grid allows the patient to check the vision with one eye at a time. If the grid paper lines are wavy or faded, an eye examination is needed urgently.
If the wet form of ARMD is present, the current treatment involves injection of medication into the eye. The medication is targeted at reducing the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the macula.
Dr. Michelle Akler recommends regular eye examinations to screen for macular degeneration, especially in older patients and those with a family history of ARMD. Early detection and treatment allows for the best visual outcome in this difficult condition.
Macular degeneration, or Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is a condition related to aging of the eye that causes loss of the central vision. It is the commonest cause of blindness in Americans over 55 years old. Approximately 10 million people in the United States are affected. Smoking, high blood pressure, family history of ARMD, and poor diet are all risk factors for the development of ARMD.
The macula is the center most part of the retina, and is responsible for the sharp vision that allows us to read and drive. In some people, as the eye ages, deposits develop in the retina (dry ARMD). This can cause the macula to function imperfectly, which leads to blurry vision. Only 10% of patients develop the wet form of ARMD. In this more devastating form, abnormal blood vessels grow in the macula, and when they leak or bleed, severe loss of the central vision often results.
The symptoms of macular degeneration are blurring of the vision, which causes difficulty with reading or driving. Macular degeneration does not cause total blindness because the side vision is not affected.
At Akler Eye Center in Dearborn MI, a complete eye examination including dilation of the pupil will allow Dr. Akler to detect both mild and severe forms of macular degeneration. If ARMD is found, further testing may include a fluorescein angiogram and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Fluorescein angiography involves injecting dye into the arm and photographing it as it circulates in the retina. Abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage may be detected. OCT is a computerized picture of the macula that shows if it is swollen with fluid. Both of these tests are performed onsite.
Treatments for macular degeneration are primarily targeted at keeping the retina as healthy as possible and screening for early signs of the wet form of ARMD. A study performed by the National Eye Institute demonstrated that taking special vitamins for the eye that contain anti-oxidants (A, C, E and beta-carotene with zinc) reduces the risk of developing severe vision loss. A home screening tool known as an Amsler Grid allows the patient to check the vision with one eye at a time. If the grid paper lines are wavy or faded, an eye examination is needed urgently.
If the wet form of ARMD is present, the current treatment involves injection of medication into the eye. The medication is targeted at reducing the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the macula.
Dr. Michelle Akler recommends regular eye examinations to screen for macular degeneration, especially in older patients and those with a family history of ARMD. Early detection and treatment allows for the best visual outcome in this difficult condition.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Treatment For Wet Macular Degeneration in Seniors
by: Admin
The National Eye Institute (NEI) had published their facts about Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) to help patients and their family members to search for general information about the disease.
Age Related Wet Macular Degeneration
In its attempt to ensure better public understanding of the disease, it had detailed the ARMD by starting on its definition. The NEI defined ARMD as “a disease associated with aging that gradually destroys sharp, central vision.” It is then explained that central vision is important to see fine details and helps common daily tasks such as reading and driving. It has to be noted that ARMD causes no physical pain to the patients.
There are two types of ARMD, which is the dry and the wet ARMD. In most cases, elderly adults develop the dry ARMD and it is the most common form of the disease, with some of them progressing into wet ARMD when abnormal blood vessels start developing and ruptures within. Wet ARMD can be treated, but not fully cured, by laser surgery, photodynamic therapy and injections into the eye. These treatments may actually just delay the process of being legally blind, but patients need to be aware that conditions will continue to worsen over time.
Treating wet ARMD with Laser surgery is a procedure which utilizes the laser technology to destroy fragile, leaky blood vessels that had formed abnormally. A high energy light beam is directly focused on the new blood vessels, and it destroys them to prevent further loss of vision. The negative side of this treatment is that it potentially destroys other healthy cells surrounding the treatment area.
Only a small percentage of patients may use laser to treat wet ARMD. The procedure is performed at the doctor’s office or an eye clinic, and laser is more effective if the abnormal, leaky blood vessels are developed away from the middle of the macula, which is called the fovea. It does not mean that the abnormal blood vessels will automatically stop developing after laser surgery, in fact repeated treatments are necessary as the risk of developing new abnormal blood vessels post surgery is high. In some cases, the patient may still suffer vision loss progressively despite repeated treatments.
Another treatment, called the photodynamic therapy, involves the injection of a drug called verteporfin into the patient’s arm, and it travels throughout the body including the new blood vessels in the eye. The drug will attach itself to the surface of new blood vessels. After this, the doctor shines a light into the patients eye for about 90 seconds to activate the drug. The drug, once activated, will destroy the new blood vessels and helps slower down the rate of vision decline. It is topical and aims only at the new blood vessels, so it does not destroy surrounding healthy tissues and cells like the laser surgery.
However, caution has to be taken with the use of this drug. As it gets activated by lights, patient has to avoid going outdoors, or exposing skin or eye to direct sunlight or bright indoor lights for five days after treatment. Remember that the drug is administered through injection on the patient’s arm, and the fact that it travels throughout the body instead of being contained within the eye.
This treatment is basically painless, and can be performed at the doctor’s office in about 20 minutes. However, while it slows down the rate of vision loss, it does not stop vision loss, or restore the patient’s vision if it was already damaged by ARMD. Again, this technique will require repeated treatments as necessary, based on the doctor’s prescription and the progress of your condition.
Another treatment is the use of injection, this time with new drugs that are injected directly into the eyes. The anti-VEGF therapy will see these new drugs block the effects of the specific growth factor that triggers the abnormal blood vessels. Multiple injections will be required, and it can be a monthly affair. Before injection, the eyes are numbed. After injection, the patient will be kept at the doctor’s office for a while so that the doctor may monitor the progress of the eyes before declaring that the patient is safe to go home. It is said that this treatment helps slow down vision loss from ARMD and may also help to improve the sight of patients in some cases.
In any of these treatments, the patient should listen to the doctor because the doctor will know the best option available for each individual.
The National Eye Institute (NEI) had published their facts about Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) to help patients and their family members to search for general information about the disease.
Age Related Wet Macular Degeneration
In its attempt to ensure better public understanding of the disease, it had detailed the ARMD by starting on its definition. The NEI defined ARMD as “a disease associated with aging that gradually destroys sharp, central vision.” It is then explained that central vision is important to see fine details and helps common daily tasks such as reading and driving. It has to be noted that ARMD causes no physical pain to the patients.
There are two types of ARMD, which is the dry and the wet ARMD. In most cases, elderly adults develop the dry ARMD and it is the most common form of the disease, with some of them progressing into wet ARMD when abnormal blood vessels start developing and ruptures within. Wet ARMD can be treated, but not fully cured, by laser surgery, photodynamic therapy and injections into the eye. These treatments may actually just delay the process of being legally blind, but patients need to be aware that conditions will continue to worsen over time.
Treating wet ARMD with Laser surgery is a procedure which utilizes the laser technology to destroy fragile, leaky blood vessels that had formed abnormally. A high energy light beam is directly focused on the new blood vessels, and it destroys them to prevent further loss of vision. The negative side of this treatment is that it potentially destroys other healthy cells surrounding the treatment area.
Only a small percentage of patients may use laser to treat wet ARMD. The procedure is performed at the doctor’s office or an eye clinic, and laser is more effective if the abnormal, leaky blood vessels are developed away from the middle of the macula, which is called the fovea. It does not mean that the abnormal blood vessels will automatically stop developing after laser surgery, in fact repeated treatments are necessary as the risk of developing new abnormal blood vessels post surgery is high. In some cases, the patient may still suffer vision loss progressively despite repeated treatments.
Another treatment, called the photodynamic therapy, involves the injection of a drug called verteporfin into the patient’s arm, and it travels throughout the body including the new blood vessels in the eye. The drug will attach itself to the surface of new blood vessels. After this, the doctor shines a light into the patients eye for about 90 seconds to activate the drug. The drug, once activated, will destroy the new blood vessels and helps slower down the rate of vision decline. It is topical and aims only at the new blood vessels, so it does not destroy surrounding healthy tissues and cells like the laser surgery.
However, caution has to be taken with the use of this drug. As it gets activated by lights, patient has to avoid going outdoors, or exposing skin or eye to direct sunlight or bright indoor lights for five days after treatment. Remember that the drug is administered through injection on the patient’s arm, and the fact that it travels throughout the body instead of being contained within the eye.
This treatment is basically painless, and can be performed at the doctor’s office in about 20 minutes. However, while it slows down the rate of vision loss, it does not stop vision loss, or restore the patient’s vision if it was already damaged by ARMD. Again, this technique will require repeated treatments as necessary, based on the doctor’s prescription and the progress of your condition.
Another treatment is the use of injection, this time with new drugs that are injected directly into the eyes. The anti-VEGF therapy will see these new drugs block the effects of the specific growth factor that triggers the abnormal blood vessels. Multiple injections will be required, and it can be a monthly affair. Before injection, the eyes are numbed. After injection, the patient will be kept at the doctor’s office for a while so that the doctor may monitor the progress of the eyes before declaring that the patient is safe to go home. It is said that this treatment helps slow down vision loss from ARMD and may also help to improve the sight of patients in some cases.
In any of these treatments, the patient should listen to the doctor because the doctor will know the best option available for each individual.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Zeaxanthin For Macular Degeneration Prevention and Treatment in Dry AMD
by The Pulitzer
Most ophthalmologists recommend the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin for macular degeneration that is age related, commonly referred to as AMD. It is unusual for doctor’s to recommend nutritional supplements of any kind, unless a person has an outright deficiency, but AMD is a unique condition.
There are no effective treatments for one type of AMD (dry), but there are some partially effective treatments for wet AMD. Together, these two are the major causes of blindness in the elderly. The wet form is the most severe, if not treated early.
In wet AMD, blood vessels grow up and behind the retina, an area responsible for gathering light and transmitting signals to the brain, resulting in sight. The blood vessels often rupture and leak blood and protein below the macula, a very sensitive area within the retina.
Eventually, bleeding, leaking and scarring causes irreversible damage to the light receptors (rods and cones). Rapid vision loss is experienced if it is left untreated. Laser treatment and drugs that inhibit blood vessel growth are usually recommended.
Generally, doctors recommend lutein and zeaxanthin for macular degeneration that is of the dry type. Dry AMD is much more common than wet. It is caused by a build up of yellow deposits called drusen on the retina.
In nature lutein and zeaxanthin are pigments or colors. They are normally present in the retina, with zeaxanthin being concentrated in the macula and lutein more highly concentrated in the periphery of the retina. There roles within the eye are not well understood, but they seem to help reduce or prevent the build up of drusen.
Drusen is similar in composition to the deposits that are found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients and the plaque that is present in atherosclerosis. People with either of those two conditions have a higher risk of developing dry AMD.
Some doctors recommend taking lutein and zeaxanthin for macular degeneration prevention, particularly to their patients that have a family history of the disease. But, since the drusen are similar to the deposits that cause Alzheimer’s and heart disease, other antioxidants may be beneficial, as well.
Curcumin, an antioxidant present in the spice turmeric, is currently being studied for its benefit in Alzheimer’s disease. Not only does it prevent the accumulation of the plaque, it breaks it up. It might be able to break up the drusen in AMD, too.
One study indicates that the ideal combination of nutrients is omega 3 fatty acids, beta carotene, vitamin E, lutein and zeaxanthin for macular degeneration. Omega 3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, are the most abundant fatty acids present in the retina. Beta-carotene is converted by the body to vitamin A, which is essential for good vision. Vitamin E is well-known for its antioxidant activity.
Prevention is worth a pound of cure, they say. In order to prevent AMD, people should lower their total fat intake, and increase their nutrient intake. This may help reduce the risk of many other diseases, as well. Taking zeaxanthin for macular degeneration prevention is a good idea. Taking a multi-nutritional supplement that contains it, is a great one.
Valerie Rosenbaum researches omega 3 fish oil supplements, anti aging supplements and natural skincare products. Through her research she has discovered the best anti aging supplement, in both quality and value, available today.
Most ophthalmologists recommend the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin for macular degeneration that is age related, commonly referred to as AMD. It is unusual for doctor’s to recommend nutritional supplements of any kind, unless a person has an outright deficiency, but AMD is a unique condition.
There are no effective treatments for one type of AMD (dry), but there are some partially effective treatments for wet AMD. Together, these two are the major causes of blindness in the elderly. The wet form is the most severe, if not treated early.
In wet AMD, blood vessels grow up and behind the retina, an area responsible for gathering light and transmitting signals to the brain, resulting in sight. The blood vessels often rupture and leak blood and protein below the macula, a very sensitive area within the retina.
Eventually, bleeding, leaking and scarring causes irreversible damage to the light receptors (rods and cones). Rapid vision loss is experienced if it is left untreated. Laser treatment and drugs that inhibit blood vessel growth are usually recommended.
Generally, doctors recommend lutein and zeaxanthin for macular degeneration that is of the dry type. Dry AMD is much more common than wet. It is caused by a build up of yellow deposits called drusen on the retina.
In nature lutein and zeaxanthin are pigments or colors. They are normally present in the retina, with zeaxanthin being concentrated in the macula and lutein more highly concentrated in the periphery of the retina. There roles within the eye are not well understood, but they seem to help reduce or prevent the build up of drusen.
Drusen is similar in composition to the deposits that are found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients and the plaque that is present in atherosclerosis. People with either of those two conditions have a higher risk of developing dry AMD.
Some doctors recommend taking lutein and zeaxanthin for macular degeneration prevention, particularly to their patients that have a family history of the disease. But, since the drusen are similar to the deposits that cause Alzheimer’s and heart disease, other antioxidants may be beneficial, as well.
Curcumin, an antioxidant present in the spice turmeric, is currently being studied for its benefit in Alzheimer’s disease. Not only does it prevent the accumulation of the plaque, it breaks it up. It might be able to break up the drusen in AMD, too.
One study indicates that the ideal combination of nutrients is omega 3 fatty acids, beta carotene, vitamin E, lutein and zeaxanthin for macular degeneration. Omega 3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, are the most abundant fatty acids present in the retina. Beta-carotene is converted by the body to vitamin A, which is essential for good vision. Vitamin E is well-known for its antioxidant activity.
Prevention is worth a pound of cure, they say. In order to prevent AMD, people should lower their total fat intake, and increase their nutrient intake. This may help reduce the risk of many other diseases, as well. Taking zeaxanthin for macular degeneration prevention is a good idea. Taking a multi-nutritional supplement that contains it, is a great one.
Valerie Rosenbaum researches omega 3 fish oil supplements, anti aging supplements and natural skincare products. Through her research she has discovered the best anti aging supplement, in both quality and value, available today.
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