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THE MAGNIFIER - Electronic Newsletter
Issue #16, August 9, 2003
Produced by:
Macular Degeneration Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 531313 Henderson, NV 89053
http://www.eyesight.org
CONTENTS:
1] HARVARD RESEARCH PROJECT (Update)
2] MICROCURRENT STIMULATION (Update)
3] MDF-USA HOSTS MDF-AUSTRALIA
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NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH AND DR. D'AMATO, A TOP HARVARD RESEARCH SCIENTIST, ARE DEVELOPING A
NOVEL TREATMENT FOR AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
Sometimes solutions to science's most puzzling questions can be found in the most unusual places. The miracle antibiotic penicillin was discovered by chance in a moldy,
mal-functioning refrigerator tray.
Taxol, the breakthrough drug for treating various female cancers, was found growing on the bark of a yew tree in the misty forests of the scenic Oregon coast. Today, one of the nation's
top macular degeneration scientists, Dr. Robert D'Amato at Harvard, is using a product derived from a naturally occurring fungi to develop a treatment for the wet form of macular degeneration.
People with wet macular
degeneration lose more eyesight, more quickly and with less chance of recovery than any other type of eye disease. The wet form is characterized by the growth and bleeding of abnormal blood vessels across the macular area of the
eye.
The Macular Degeneration Foundation has pledged support for Dr. D'Amato's project to explore the use of a compound called Cytochalasin E (Cyto E) in the hopes that it will have beneficial effects. Cyto E is a
natural product of a certain fungal species. Dr. D'Amato discovered that it inhibits the growth of new blood vessels (known as angiogenesis) in animals.
It is hoped that Cyto E will be able to block the growth of the
abnormal blood vessels associated with the wet form of macular degeneration in humans. However, part of the challenge will be to deliver the compound to affected parts of the eye. Dr. D'Amato believes the solution lies
in the use of time-released, biodegradable polymers that will allow doctors to administer precise dosages of the Cyto E compound locally to the eye.
The Macular Degeneration Foundation and the NIH (National Institute of
Health) consider this an exceptional research project worthy of continued financial support.
Dr. Karl G. Csaky, M.D., Ph.D., Principle Investigator for the National Institute of Health, National Eye Institute, commented
regarding our efforts to raise money in behalf of Dr. D'amato's project: "Foundations like yours are critical to the research efforts towards finding a cure for AMD. The specific effort (Cyto E) that your contribution
supports is particularly exciting because of its aim to provide a noninvasive and highly effective treatment and prevention strategy for wet AMD. I think all of us involved in the project are highly optimistic that the
treatment will provide much needed help in our ability to provide patients some measure of a useful therapy for this disease."
Your financial support is needed to help Dr. D'Amato and his colleagues finish their
work. 100% of all donations to the Macular Degeneration Foundation Research Fund are used for research. Please send your tax deductible contribution to:
The MDF Research Fund
P.O. Box 531313
Henderson, Nevada 89053
LINK: http://www.eyesight.org/Donations/donations.html
AOL Users: <a href="http://www.eyesight.org/Donations/donations.html">Research Fund</a>
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MICROCURRENT STIMULATION (Update)
For several years we have monitored the use of microcurrent stimulation for the treatment of macular degeneration. Anecdotal evidence
strongly suggests that microcurrent stimulation can reverse or slow its progression, especially the dry form. We look forward to results of planned controlled studies designed to scientifically determine the efficacy of
microcurrent stimulation as applied to macular degeneration.
In the mean time, Optogon Corporation has developed a personal-use device called the OPTO PULSE 100. It is FDA 510K approved and uses a simple head
band to deliver specially timed signals to nerve points associated with the eyes. In addition, Optogon has compiled summaries of medical studies from around the world related to the application of microcurrent stimulation to
various parts of the human anatomy, including the eye.
LINK: http://www.optogon.com
AOL Users: <a href="http://www.optogon.com">Optogon Corporation</a>
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MACULAR DEGENERATION FOUNDATION - U.S.A. HOSTS FOUNDER OF MACULAR DEGENERATION FOUNDATION - AUSTRAILIA
Zenda Curan is the founder of Macular Degeneration Foundation in
Australia the peak body representing the 344,000 Australians living with the significant form of Macular Degeneration. MDF Australia was formed in June of 2001.
After two years of phone conversations and email
correspondence, the founder of Macular Degeneration Foundation, Australia, Zenda Curran, finally met Edmund Aleks, founder of Macular Degeneration Foundation, U.S.A.
Zenda Curran had the opportunity to tour the United States
on the Vincent Fairfax Churchill Fellowship. In June, 2002, Zenda was awarded this fellowship to improve the Australian community and government knowledge of Macular Degeneration, particularly the American programs that
promote the quality of life for patients and educate and assist in the prevention and control of MD.
The MDF, USA is an international partner of the MDF, Australia. It supports the work of the Foundation in Australia
in the prevention, intervention, education, and research for Macular Degeneration.
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The MAGNIFIER is sent without charge. Contributions are appreciated and may be sent in care of
the Macular Degeneration Research Fund, P.O. Box 531313, Henderson, NV 89053
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