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THE MAGNIFIER Issue #24, August 19, 2004
Newsletter from the Macular Degeneration Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 531313 Henderson, NV 89053
http://www.eyesight.org
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MD PATIENTS ASK?
What is Drusen?
Macular drusen are localized deposits that are lodged between the macula and the retinal layers. Quoting from Dr. Robert D'Amato's book, Macular Degeneration, "Current scientific thought suggests
that drusen represent the buildup of waste material from cells, which in a perfectly healthy eye would be removed naturally by the body. Just as your morning shower washes away dead cells from your skin, blood flow in a
healthy eye washes away waste from photoreceptor cells in the retina. But this process functions abnormally when the eye is diseased with macular degeneration; therefore drusen build up in the retina."
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IF I HAVE DRUSEN, DOES THAT MEAN I'LL DEVELOP AMD?
Not necessarily. Drusen are deposits that contain complex lipids (fats) and calcium that can accululate as a person
ages. Many people have drusen in both eyes and have no vision impairment. If your eye doctor detects drusen in your eyes, you should continue to seek eye care regularly and use an Amsler Grid to monitor your vision.
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FREE AMSLER GRID8/18/2004
How can I get an Amsler Grid to monitor my eye condition? You can stop by your ophthalmologist's office or you can call the MDF toll-free number
888-633-3937. Amsler Grids and/or specific information is sent (free) upon request.
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THANK YOU OPTOMAX
Ralph Lewis is very proud of his new shed. Before
purchasing his OPTOMAX, he would not have attempted to buy a put-it-together-yourself shed. But thanks to the OPTOMAX magnifier, he read the instructions with ease. Ralph wonders, "what did I do without
it?" To order an OPTOMAX go to http://www.optogon.com/html/enhanced_vision.html or call 1-800-924-4393.
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MACULAR DEGENERATION MUTATION FOUND
medicinenet.com
"New research shows that 7 out of 402 patients with AMD (1.7%) were found to have mutations in the fibulin 5 gene versus none in 429 control subjects, a very highly significant difference. In addition, these 7
patients all had small circular drusen in the macula.
Genetic analysis can unite or split diseases apart. In some cases, diseases that appear different are united by the discovery that they are due to mutation of the
same gene. And in other cases, one disease is split into two or more diseases, each due to mutation in a different gene. AMD is beginning to be split into different diseases that damage the macula. And one form of
AMD is due to mutation in the fibulin 5 gene." Unfortunately with most genetic research, the bottom line according to Edwin M. Stone, lead author of the study, . . . "this is a laboratory finding at the moment . . .
. .although we are hopeful that this discovery will lead us closer to treatment, there is no specific new treatment based on this finding."
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NEW LOW VISION PORTABLE MAGNIFIER!
Read the fine print anytime, anywhere! Pico fits easily in your purse or pocket, and the integrated battery makes it easy to carry wherever you go. With Pico, you can read even in
dimly lit areas. Pico is so small you will always want it with you. Read bills, schedules, grocery lists, receipts, menus and more with various contrast options. Fold-down legs allow you to write and sign checks
or unfold one leg to tilt the screen toward you for reading. Call Optogon at 800-924-4393 to order your Pico or go to http://www.optogon.com/html/pico.html for a full description and online ordering.
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BLIND MAN SAVES PAIR AFTER CANOE CAPSIZES
Toronto Star
"Steven Kennedy was drifting in and out of consciousness and clinging to a canoe in Lake Nipissing when a man who is
legally blind saved his life and that of his lifelong friend, Jacob Pawlawski. The two young men from Scarborough had struggled for four hours to stay atop their canoe, which had capsized after being struck by a wave, and
were about to give up hope when they were saved by Mike Williamson. Williamson, 37, has suffered from the eye condition Stargardt's disease, a form of juvenile macular degeneration, since birth, and is legally blind.
The unemployed construction worker has limited vision but can make out shapes and shadows. When Williamson and his friends came across the struggling pair in the thrashing whitecaps, they tried throwing a rope to them without
success. It was then that Williamson, the strongest swimmer, jumped in and making out the outline of the canoe brought each of the survivors to safety. In appreciation for his bravery, Williamson was presented with
$100, a flask shaped like a binocular and a cherry wood box with the inscription: "Thanks for saving our lives."
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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.
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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 low-vision products that have given many victims
of vision loss the 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.
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MDF was founded in 1992 by Edmund J. Aleksandrovich Ph.D (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 .
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