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THE MAGNIFIER Issue #30, April 15, 2005
Newsletter from the Macular Degeneration Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 531313 Henderson, NV 89053
http://www.eyesight.org
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Our readers often get
"bits-and-pieces" of information from news "blurps" or newspaper headlines. Our newsletter is published to provide as much information as possible to help patients make informed decisions regarding their
therapy. Our last edition described Macugen Therapy and Photo Dynamic Therapy (known as PDT).
The treatments described in this edition are in trials. Often there will be news releases describing one or more of
these therapies. However, until they are FDA approved they will not be available for general patient use. If you have questions, please call us at 1-888-633-3937.
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WHAT IS TRANSPUPILLARY THERMOTHERAPY (TTT)?
Transpupillary thermotherapy is an investigational treatment for choroidal neovascularization (new blood vessel growth) under the central retina. A long wavelength laser at low power
intensity is used to slowly heat the abnormal blood vessels without damage to the overlying retina. This treatment remains investigational but shows promise for treating patients who are not candidates for other therapies.
TTT is used primarily for the occult form of "wet" MD. In the occult pattern, the edges of the abnormal blood vessels are poorly defined and spread out. PDT is used for the classic pattern which consists of
well-defined abnormal blood vessels with distinct edges.
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NEWS RELEASE ON TTT
On February 28th, 2005, IRIDEX Corporation announced a significant clinical benefit in a subset of patients
with wet macular degeneration who were treated with the transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) laser protocol when compared to the sham treated control group. Their results showed that in a subgroup of patients with
baseline visual acuity of 20/100 or worse, 22% of treated eyes improved vision by one or more lines compared with none of the eyes in the untreated control group. Furthermore, at 18 months, there was a 2 line benefit in
preserving vision in this subgroup when compared to sham treated eyes. Specifically, TTT treated eyes on average lost 2 lines of visual acuity while sham treated eyes lost 4 lines. Both of these findings were
statistically significant.
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WHAT IS MACULAR TRANSLOCATION SURGERY?
Macular translocation surgery is another experimental treatment for choroidal neovascularization (new blood vessel
growth) under the central retina. In the operating room, the retina is intentionally detached by the surgeon and then reattached after moving the central retina away from the choroidal neovascularization. If successful, the
abnormal blood vessels can then be lasered postoperatively without damage to the central retina. This treatment remains investigational at Duke University. This is an extremely invasive procedure.
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WHAT IS INTRAVITREAL KENALOG?
Kenalog (triamcinolone) is a long-acting steroid that can be injected inside the eye into the vitreous cavity. Steroids are known to reduce leakage from blood
vessels prompting some doctors to try intravitreal kenalog as a treatment for choroidal neovascularization. This use remains investigational but may benefit select patients especially when combined with photodynamic therapy.
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CAN VITAMIN THERAPY IN THE FORM OF EYE SUPPLEMENTS BE BENEFICIAL?
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), sponsored by the Federal Government's National Eye Institute , has found that
taking high levels of antioxidants and zinc can reduce the risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by about 28 percent. This number reflects those patients with a lot of intermediate or large drusen, but
not those with limited intermediate drusen or multiple small drusen.
This major clinical trial closely followed about 3600 participants with varying stages of AMD. The results showed that the AREDS formulation, while not a
cure for AMD, may play a key role in helping people at high risk for developing advanced AMD keep their remaining vision.
Because of their findings, the researchers recommend that patients at risk of developing advanced AMD
consider taking antioxidant and zinc supplements. Participants received:
* 500 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C
* 400 international units (IU) of vitamin E
* 15 mg of beta-carotene
* and 80 mg of zinc oxide
Warning: Recent studies have shown a strong link between the use of beta-carotene supplements and lung cancer among both smokers and ex-smokers.
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RADIATION TREATMENT
Theragenics Corporation is working on a device called the TheraSight Ocular Brachytherapy System and is enrolling patients in a clinical trial to test its safety and feasibility in treating the abnormal
blood vessel formation associated with wet AMD.
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BLOOD FILTRATION
Developed by Japanese scientists about two decades ago, membrane differential filtration removes certain large proteins
and fatty acids that are too prevalent and may be harmful. The technique has been applied to various diseases, but a new version, called rheopheresis blood filtration, is being tested to treat the dry form of AMD. Rheopheresis has
not yet been FDA-approved, but it is available commercially in Canada and Europe.
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IMPLANTABLE TELESCOPE
Now in clinical trials, the Implantable Miniature Telescope magnifies central
images for the retina, reducing the perceived relative size of the central blind spot. Making news lately is a tiny device that would magnify images onto the retina to improve the central vision that has been affected by the
progression of AMD or Stargardt's macular dystrophy. Basically, the magnification of the overall image reduces the relative size of the central blind spot. The Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT) was invented during the late
1990s; now it is being tested in about 200 people. If the IMT proves viable, it may still be a few years before it is available.
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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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