|
=============================================
THE MAGNIFIER Issue #21, May 30, 2004
Newsletter from the Macular Degeneration Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 531313 Henderson, NV 89053
http://www.eyesight.org
=============================================
The Emory Eye Center's AMD Photodynamic Therapy Research
The Emory Eye Center is
located in Atlanta, Georgia on the Emory University School of Medicine campus and is currently in the top ten NIH funded eye research institutions in the U.S. The Eye Center's L.F. Montgomery Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory has
been designated to study the eyes of patients who have received Photodynamic Therapy. The purpose of the study is to determine what effect the PDT treatments have on the abnormal blood vessels and scar tissue that degrade the
macula. The only way to determine the effectiveness of PDT is by studying the eyes of post-mortem donors. Why Donate to Science? Donated eyes can help scientists to research ways to improve the treatment of AMD.
A gift of your eyes at the time of your death can help scientists improve treatments for future generations of people who suffer with AMD. Without human donors who have received the PDT treatment, it is very difficult to
determine the efficacy of PDT. If you think you may be interested and need more information, you may contact the Emory Eye Center at (800)266-0400.
http://www.emory.edu/EYE_CENTER/
============================
SENIORS COPING WITH Macular Degeneration
Severe visual impairment of all kinds is associated with three major negative out-comes for many seniors:
1. Declining functional ability
2. Failure to accept impairment realistically
3. Frequent bouts of anger and/or depression
There are many ways to fight depression. The easiest remedy is to take the time to help someone else. Read on for a
story that is very heart-warming.
THE HORSEMAN
It was a bitter, cold evening in northern Virginia many, many years ago. The old man's beard was glazed by winter's frost while he waited for a ride across the
river. The wait seemed endless. His body became numb and stiff from the frigid north wind. He heard the faint, steady rhythm of approaching hooves galloping along the frozen path. Anxiously, he watched as
several horsemen rounded the bend. He let the first one pass by without an effort to get his attention. Then another passed by... and another. Finally, the last rider neared the spot where the old man sat like a snow
statue. As this one drew near, the old man caught the rider's eye and said, "Sir, would you mind giving an old man a ride to the other side? There doesn't appear to be a passageway by foot." Reining his horse,
the rider replied, "Sure thing. Hop aboard." Seeing the old man was unable to lift his half-frozen body from the ground, the horseman dismounted and helped the old man onto the horse. The horseman took the old
man not just across the river, but to his destination, which was just a few miles away.
As they neared the tiny but cozy cottage, the horseman's curiosity caused him to inquire, "Sir, I notice that you let several other
riders pass by without making an effort to secure a ride. Then I came up and you immediately asked me for a ride. I'm curious why, on such a bitter winter night, you would wait and ask the last rider. What if I had refused
and left you there?" The old man lowered himself slowly down from the horse, looked the rider straight in the eyes, and replied, "I've been around these here parts for some time. I reckon I know people pretty
good." The old-timer continued, "I looked into the eyes of the other riders and immediately saw there was no concern for my situation. It would have been useless even to ask them for a ride. But when I
looked into your eyes, kindness and compassion were evident. I knew, then and there, that your gentle spirit would welcome the opportunity to give me assistance in my time of need." Those heart-warming comments touched
the horseman deeply. "I'm most grateful for what you have said," he told the old man.
"May I never get too busy in my own affairs that I fail to respond to the needs of others with kindness and
compassion." With that, Thomas Jefferson turned his horse around and made his way back to the White House.
============================
MDF RESEARCH COMMITMENTS:
> The focus of our research in the
last year has been to Dr. Robert D'Amato, a research scientist at Harvard University in Boston. Dr. D'Amato discovered a natural compound, Cyto E, that would act as an inhibitor for new blood vessel growth behind the
eye. Not only is this compound important because it is "natural" but he is also using a minimally invasive drug delivery system. This delivery system targets the eye area without the trauma of an injection
into the eye. The delivery system uses a polymer sponge, implanted in the lower eyelid, which is able to be programmed to deliver the medication specifically to the eye. This project is in the phase 1/11 stage for FDA
approval.
> Our recent research proposal is from Dr. Alan Marmorstein, a research scientist from the University of Arizona. He will use an animal model to show that microcurrent stimulation can induce a
growth factor that will stimulate the revival of photoreceptor cells. As this research progresses, we hope to also show visual acuity benefits in patients through patient trials with the Ophthalmology Department at the
University of Arizona.
> Using the premise that microcurrent stimulation increases circulation, we hope to be working with the University of Pennsylvania to prove that MCS does increase blood flow and blood volume in the
retina/macula region. This research is very valuable and is the closest means to a therapy for the "dry form" of macular degeneration that will in turn affect the number of patients that progress to the more severe
"wet form" of the disease.
============================
SEARCHING THE WEB FOR INFORMATION?
You may want to go to the following URL's for macular degeneration information:
http://www.stlukeseye.com/Anatomy.asp
http://www.stlukeseye.com/Conditions/MacularDegeneration.asp
http://www.hopkinsafter50.com/html/silos/vision/libMacDegen.php
http://www.retinadoc.com/services/macular2.stm
http://www.tedmontgomery.com/the_eye/macula.html
http://www.nethealthbook.com/eye_diseases_and_eye_related_topics.html
============================
CONTACTING MDF
To speak to a support representative directly, you may call 1-888-633-3937. If you reach our voice mail, please speak
slowly and distinctly.
ORDERING BOOKS & TAPES
When purchasing items from Amazon.com, please remember to use the MDF search box located at http://www.eyesight.org/Books/books.html . By simply originating your
search from our website, Amazon rewards the Foundation with a small commission from each product you order. Thank you.
MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS:
Please make checks payable to Macular Degeneration Foundation, Inc., P.O.
Box 531313, Henderson, Nevada 89053, or you may use your credit card on our web site http://www.eyesight.org/Donations/donations.html . Your contributions make our services available as a support system for macular
degeneration patients in the following ways:
1. We provide toll-free lines for personal contact assistance.
2. We mail brochures and other printed materials upon request.
3. We support an award-winning web site that provides the latest up-to-date information.
4. We fund research proposal grants to provide therapies for both the wet and dry form of AMD. Contributions marked
"research" are used 100% for research.
============================
PRODUCTS FOR LOW VISION
To order the eye supplement that is endorsed by the Macular Degeneration Foundation, OPTOTABS, visit
http://www.optogon.com. This site also provides two low-vision products
that have given many victims of vision loss their ability to read important documents. Call this toll-free number for more information 800-924-4393. A percent of the proceeds from the sale of these items is invested
into Macular Degeneration Research.
============================
MDF was founded in 1992 by Edmund J. Aleksandrovich (a victim of macular degeneration). It provides MD patients and their families with the
information necessary to understand the disease, the latest news concerning ways to cope with the disease, and supports the efforts of researchers to find a cure.
Subscribers who wish to cancel their subscription or change
their email address may visit: http://www.eyesight.org/Newsletter/newsletter.html .
==============================================
============================================== |
|
