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THE MAGNIFIER Issue #28, January 17, 2005
Newsletter from the Macular Degeneration Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 531313 Henderson, NV 89053
http://www.eyesight.org
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ORIGIN AND MOLECULAR COMPOSITION
From The Center for the study of Macular Degeneration
(From April 09, 2002)
The following article describes the formation of drusen, the relationship of drusen to chronic local
inflammation, and the association of other age-related disorders with inflammation.
"Although it has not been proven that drusen cause MD, it is clear that, from a clinical standpoint, MD is rarely diagnosed in their
absence.
Three years ago, scientists working at the Macular Degeneration Centers at the University of California, Santa Barbara and at the University of Iowa have obtained and published a partial profile of the protein
composition of drusen.
Although drusen were first described almost 150 years ago, the earliest cellular events involved in their formation remain unknown. Historically, theories of drusen formation have emphasized the
incorporation of RPE cell debris into drusen.
In general, their results reinforce the long-held view that RPE cell death over an extended period of time is the prelude to drusen formation. Prior to death,
"compromised" RPE cells swell in volume and display a number of other class signs of cellular injury. In some cases, these cells migrate away from the intact RPE monolayer into the sub-retinal space; in other
instances, however, processes from adjacent cells migrate over the dying RPE cells, trapping the debris against Bruch's membrane. It is this trapped cellular debris that appears to be the initial "seeding" event in
drusen formation, and that is followed by an attempt to encapsulate the exposed debris.
In other cells and tissues, it is well known that the chronic buildup and exposure of cellular debris in the microenvironment of cells
can act as a local inflammatory stimulus. When that occurs, the body responds by activating a complex and highly orchestrated series of anti-inflammatory responses, all of which are designed to eliminate the source of
inflammation. If the source is not eliminated, a chronic state of local inflammation occurs that may persist for years. Recent evidence strongly suggests that drusen formation may be a manifestation of this type of
chronic local inflammation.
This approach is not without precedent in other age-related diseases. In recent years, it has become apparent that other diseases of aging, including Alzheimer's disease and Atherosclerosis,
have chronic local inflammatory components that can accentuate the effects of a primary pathogenic stimulus, whatever it may be. In the case of Alzheimer's disease, for example, there is now substantial clinical evidence that
the sustained use of anti-inflammatory agents, such as ibuprofen, can delay the onset and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. By analogy, it is reasonable to propose that those individuals in the early stages of MD,
particularly those with significant numbers of drusen in the macula, could benefit from long-term inflammatory therapy that is designed to delay the onset of the more advanced symptoms of disease."
(Note) The
recent discovery that "ibuprofen" type products may cause heart attacks makes the use of these products a potential health risk. Always consult your doctor with questions about pharmaceutical products.
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YOUR EYES AND YOUR COMPUTER
Eye On Health from the VSP WellVision Learning Source
As more people use a computer at work and at home, the number of people experiencing
computer vision syndrome appears to be rising. Computer vision syndrome symptoms include eyestrain, dry eyes, blurred vision and headaches. Millions of people in the U.S. experience these symptoms every day. In fact it
is reported that nearly 90% of people who work at a computer as little as three hours a day suffer from some type of eye trouble.
If you fit into this category, try these strategies:
1. Blink often.
Blinking bathes your eyes in tears, and tears are naturally therapeutic for the eyes.
2. Look Away. Every 20 minutes look away from the screen to give your eyes a rest.
3. Reduce glare and reflections. Glare
screens can be purchased at office supply stores.
4. Adjust your monitor. The screen should be at least an arm's length away from your eyes, with the center about 4-6 inches below your eyes.
5. Consider computer
eyeglasses. Eyeglasses with a special prescription created just for assisting your eyes to read the screen might be necessary.
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LET US HEAR FROM YOU!
Anne from
Louisville, Kentucky writes: "Your help, support and newsletters have helped me so very much. I have MD wet in both eyes. Thanks to your newsletters I have changed my diet completely and my eyes have stayed
the same. Words cannot express my deep thanks to the foundation for your phone support and newsletters."
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ARE VISION PROBLEMS INHERITED?
This article is taken from Eye on Health Newsletter
Eye conditions influenced by genetics include:
Nearsightedness
Farsightedness
Color blindness
Retinitis pigmentosa
Other conditions that can have both a genetic and enviornmental component are:
Glaucoma
Macular Degeneration
Amblyopia
Strabismus
Nearsightedness and farsightedness have a strong genetic component,
especially if a parent is very nearsighted or farsighted. Researchers have found that students who spend a lot of time reading show a more rapid progression of their nearsightedness than do others.
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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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