Davis, CA – The first clinical trial in the U.S. to investigate whether hormone replacement therapy can prevent macular
degeneration begins this month. More than 4,000 postmenopausal women across the country will take part in The Women's Health Initiative-Sight Exam Study. In macular degeneration, cells in the eye's central retina
dysfunction, causing dimmed, distorted and detail-diminished straight-ahead sight, leaving patients with only peripheral vision. There is currently no known cure. Two independent studies have shown that in
older Americans, women have approximately twice the incidence of the disease as men, suggesting that estrogen loss during menopause may play a role.
"This disease could be devastating for so many baby boomers who are
reaching menopause and still have a third of their lives to live," said Mary N. Haan, PhD, Principal Investigator of the study. "We're trying to determine if hormone replacement therapy may help slow, or even
prevent the disease."
WHI-SE is an add-on study to the Women's Health Initiative, one of the largest preventive studies of its kind. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) established the Women's Health
Initiative (WHI) in 1991 to address the most common causes of death, disability and impaired quality of life in postmenopausal women, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. Women already enrolled in
the WHI are eligible to participate in WHI-SE, and will receive either Premarin or Prempro, forms of estrogen, or a placebo sugar pill.
"Recent genetic studies in children and adults suggest that macular degeneration
may start earlier than we previously thought, so this study to find successful, preventive measures is urgently needed," stated Edmund Aleksandrovich, president and founder of the Macular Degeneration Foundation. A key
supporter of the study, the Macular Degeneration Foundation believes it sets a precedent for high quality biological research towards an better understanding of ways that might deter the otherwise inexorable central
vision deterioration due to macular degeneration.
Women in the study are required to undergo two vision exams (3-4 years apart); complete questionnaires on vision, history of eye disease and medication usage; have
blood collected for studies on the effect of diet and cardiovascular disease on macular degeneration; and have a swab of their inner cheek taken for genetic tests about eye disease.
The Macular
Degeneration Foundation is a leading resource for information, education and research towards improved solutions for macular degeneration. For more information regarding this study, contact UC Davis at
1-916-734-6341.
