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THE MAGNIFIER - Electronic Newsletter
Issue #12, December 20, 2001
Produced by: Macular Degeneration Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 9752, San Jose, CA 95157
http://www.eyesight.org
CONTENTS
1. Transpupillary Thermotherapy Update
2. Gene Research
3. New Foundation Advisory Board
4. Daily News
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November 27, 2001
Mountain View, California
IRIDEX Announces Study Results that Further Validate Effectiveness of TTT for Occult AMD
IRIDEX Corporation (NASDAQ/NMS:IRIX) announced positive results of a clinical study using the Company's IRIS Medical® OcuLight® SLx laser further validating the effectiveness of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for
the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study, presented at the recent American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting held in New Orleans, Louisiana, used TTT to treat 104 patients with occult neovascular
membranes associated with wet AMD and showed stable or improved visual acuity in 79% of patients at 9 months follow-up.
Dr. Allen B. Thach commented, "The results from our study show that the visual acuity is
stabilized in 76% of patients at 6 months and in 79% at 9 months. Our data compare favorably with other non-randomized TTT studies in which visual acuity remained stable or improved in 70-81% of patients at approximately 10-month
follow-up. A natural history of occult CNV in AMD showed that, at 9-12 month follow-up, 62% of untreated patients suffer the loss of two or more visual acuity (VA) lines and only 38% remain stable or experience the loss of less
than 3 lines of VA."
The study was a prospective, non-randomized, non-masked case study that was performed by Drs. Allen B. Thach, Jack O. Sipperly, Pravin U. Dugel, Scott R. Sneed, and Donald W. Park at the Retinal
Consultants of Arizona in Phoenix. One hundred and four patients were treated using the IRIS Medical OcuLight SLx and Large Spot Size Slit Lamp Adapter. Laser treatment consisted of a large laser spot adequate to cover the CNV
lesion size, typically 3000-6000 micrometers diameter, delivered for 60 seconds at 600-1000 milliWatts. Patients were evaluated for visual acuity (stable or improved vision was defined as a loss of one line, any improvement in
vision or no change in the vision) and the need for additional treatment. Of the 83 patients available for 6-month follow-up (80%), visual acuity stabilized or improved in 63 patients (76%) and worsened (2 or more line loss) in 20
patients (24%). Of the 48 patients followed for 9 months (46%), visual acuity stabilized or improved in 38 patients (79%).
Theodore A. Boutacoff, President and CEO of IRIDEX commented, "This is another important
addition to the more than 20 studies now presented on TTT for the treatment of eyes with occult wet AMD; and further validates and supports the efficacy of TTT protocol for occult CNV. We are encouraged by the growing body of
clinical evidence that supports this procedure."
About TTT
TTT is a large spot size, low irradiance, long exposure infrared (810 nm) laser photocoagulation protocol. Compared to conventional laser
photocoagulation techniques, the TTT protocol is a Minimum Intensity Protocol (MIP) that uses subthreshold photocoagulation to close CNV while sparing the neurosensory retina. The protocol uses the OcuLight SLx laser and
Large Spot Slit Lamp Adapter to produce favorable therapeutic responses in clinical studies with minimal side effects and preservation of vision in patients with occult CNV secondary to AMD.
Background Information:
http://www.eyesight.org/Research/Research-TTT/research-ttt.html
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GENE RESEARCH
Researchers Identify the Full Complement of Photoreceptor Genes
Nearly one in 2,000 people are
at risk for inherited diseases of the retina—disorders that can claim their victims' vision. But such losses may one day be a thing of the past, thanks in part to findings described today in the journal Cell. According to the
report, researchers have identified in mice a full set of vision genes, most of which have human counterparts.
Harvard Medical School geneticist Connie Cepko and colleagues found 300 genes expressed in photoreceptor
neurons, the retinal cells commonly known as rods and cones. Only 36 of these genes were previously known. "This makes photoreceptors the single most well characterized cell type in the body," Cepko observes. The work
should lead to the identification of those genes that, in their mutant forms, cause diseases like macular degeneration. And by getting a better sense of how these genes function, researchers might eventually be able to replace
damaged cells—perhaps, Cepko muses, by manipulating the genes so as to coax replacement photoreceptors from stem cells. Indeed, "the more we know about how the genes work," she remarks, "the better we will be able to
find ways to treat, and possibly, prevent disease." —Kate Wong
Source:
http://www.sciam.com/news/113001/3.html
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BOARD OF SCIENTIFIC ADVISORS
In addition to its Directors, the
Macular Degeneration Foundation has formed a Board of Scientific Advisors comprised of Stuart Fine, M.D., Robert D'Amato, M.D., PhD., Philip Filner PhD. and Ron Gallemore M.D. PhD. . These prestigious researchers
oversee the Foundation's efforts to gather and interpret research data from around the world and assist in the assignment of contributed funds designated for research.
More About Advisors: http://www.eyesight.org/About_Us/Advisors/advisors.html
Research Fund:
http://www.eyesight.org/Donations/donations.html
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DAILY NEWS
If you haven't done so recently, visit our
NEWS page. It does a daily search of over 2000 resources on the Internet for any information regarding macular degeneration.
News Page: http://www.eyesight.org/News/news.html
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Contributions to the Macular Degeneration Research Fund may be sent to P.O. Box 9752, San Jose, CA 95157
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