Macular Degeneration Treatments/Therapies Breakthroughs

by Isobel Washington

Macular degeneration is an eye condition characterized by the deterioration of the macula, which is the central "lens-like" part of the eye's retina responsible for sharp central vision. Affecting central vision and often leading to vision loss, macular degeneration has had limited treatment options. Recently, there have been some breakthroughs to help patients retain vision.

Significance
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness among Americans age 65 and older. Vision loss from this condition is a growing problem, since this age demographic represents an increasingly larger percentage of the U. S. population.

Function
Treatments for macular degeneration work to preserve vision ability at the time of treatment, and slow the progression of the disease (it's a progressive disease that affects vision over time). Treatment cannot restore vision that is already lost through the disease. There is no cure or treatment to stop the progression of macular degeneration, there are ways to preserve and prolong current vision.

Eye Injections
Lucentis and Macugen are FDA-approved ocular injection treatments, and are highly effective for preserving vision and inhibiting macular degeneration symptoms, according to AllAboutVision.com. A 2005 study on Lucentis demonstrated success rate of 95 percent for improving and sustaining vision in macular degeneration patients.

Laser Treatment
Laser technology is now used to destroy the abnormal, leaky blood vessels that cause vision loss in macular degeneration patients. The National Eye Institute points out, however, that while this treatment may be effective for preventing vision loss, it is also comes with the risk of destroying healthy tissue that surrounds the treatment area.

Photodynamic Therapy
This method uses special light treatment to activate an injected drug, verteporfin, in the blood vessels, so that it destroys the new, abnormal blood vessels being hyper-produced in the eye (those that cause vision impairment or loss). The National Eye Institute reports that this light-activation method slows vision loss, but doesn't stop it.

Investigational Treatments
Investigational treatments for macular degeneration, in various stages of research and FDA clinical studies, include Avastin, a cancer treatment drug. As of 2009, the National Eye Institute reports that no available treatment provides a cure for macular degeneration, and that vision loss may result, despite treatment.

About the Author
Isobel Washington has been a freelance journalist since 2007. Washington's work first surfaced in Europe, where she served as a restaurant critic and journalist for "LifeStyles" magazine. Her love of travel and culture inspired her first novel, which is currently underway. Washington has a 10-year career in marketing communication and holds a Bachelor of Science degree.

Food For The Eyes

Food for the Eyes

Last Update: 3/20 1:19 pm
Source: WXYZ Detroit

Many of us plan our meals around certain foods hoping to keep our bodies healthy, but not many of us think specifically about our eyes. We have a heads up on culinary choices that can help you see better, longer. In fact, these can be called 'food for the eyes!'

Blair Carper, (worried about his vision)
"I used to be able to see things really sharp and now I don't see things as well."

He's heard carrots are good for the eyes and he's right, but they're not the only way to protect your view of the world. A recent study shows several nutrients in supplemental form help slow the progression of serious eye diseases. Ophthalmologist Sunil Srivastava says incorporating even small amounts into your regular diet can only help. One food with benefits-eggs.

Sunil Srivastava, MD, Ophthalmologist, Emory University
"Eggs do have a lot of good vitamins, such as vitamin A. Vitamin A is important in the function of the eye, specifically the retina, so vitamin A deficiencies can actually lead to night blindness."

Then there are raspberries. The vitamin C in them helps reduce the risk of cataract formation. Almonds are up next because they contain vitamin E.

Sunil Srivastava, MD, Ophthalmologist, Emory University
"Vitamin C and vitamin E have been shown to, at elevated levels, reduce the risk of things like macular degeneration in high risk patients."

Salmon or more specifically fish oil, along with green leafy vegetables, also help prevent macular degeneration, an illness that causes blindness. Ten million Americans are already coping with the disease.

Sunil Srivastava, MD, Ophthalmologist, Emory University
"Lutein and zeaxanthin are certain types of pigments that actually are concentrated in the macula of our retina, which is the center part of our vision, and foods like broccoli and spinach have high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin."

Aslo, try yogurt because the zinc in it helps the body absorb antioxidants, which also help the eyes.

Other good sources of vitamin A are cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, and mango.

Eat Better Foods to Keep Eyes Healthy

March is Save Your Vision Month, sponsored by the American Optometric Association, or AOA. This year's theme is to pay more attention to nutrition to care for your eyes.

The AOA recommends increasing nutrients for healthy eyes, especially for people coping with vision loss or other eye problems.

Cataracts and age-related macular degeneration are the two leading causes of vision loss and blindness. One out of four Americans age 40 and older suffer from some level of vision loss. Patient clinical trials by the National Institutes of Health found age-related macular degeneration to be a nutrition responsive disorder. Multivitamins typically deliver nutrients below the recommended level for eye health.

Having a daily intake of certain nutrients has been linked to healthy eyes and may reduce the risk of some chronic eye conditions. Intake can be either through foods or supplements. Consult your eye health professional or physician before making changes in your diet or supplementation.

Eat foods rich in the following nutrients to help protect your eye sight and vision.

Lutein is found in colorful produce such as green beans, spinach, broccoli, oranges and corn.

Essential fatty acids are found in tuna, salmon, whole grains, lean meats and eggs.

Vitamin C is found in papaya, oranges, green peppers, and tomatoes.

Vitamin E is found in nuts & seeds like almonds, pecans, peanut butter and sunflower seeds, also sweet potatoes.

Zinc is found in whole grains, baked beans, poultry, shellfish, milk and red meat.
Renee Veksler is a Guam Memorial Hospital health educator and community partner with the Get Healthy Guam Coalition. Contact her at 647-2351.