Pittsburgh Based Associates In Ophthalmology Announces New Treatments For Patients Suffering From Macular Degeneration

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Article Date: 30 Oct 2007 - 6:00 PDT

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Associates in Ophthalmology (AIO), an eye research institute that has been working with Pennsylvania eye doctors to promote eye health for over 100 years, is very proud to announce new treatments for patients suffering from macular degeneration. Through their Pittsburgh eye care facility and center for surgery, they have found that a new drug called Lucentis may help some macular degeneration patients maintain or improve their vision.

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is an eye condition that begins when the central portion of the retina, called the macula, begins to deteriorate. It is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Americans 65 and older and in 2004 it was estimated that 1.75 million Americans suffer from AMD with that number expected to grow to 3 million by 2020.

There are two forms of AMD and each damages vision in a particular way. These two forms are:

- Dry Macular Degeneration - In dry AMD, a yellowish material begins to form beneath the retina which gradually blurs vision by breaking down the light sensitive cells in the macula. Dry AMD is responsible for approximately 90% of the cases of AMD but only 10% of AMD-related blindness.

- Wet Macular Degeneration - In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and then bleed which causes central vision to be distorted or destroyed. Although wet AMD only occurs in 10% of AMD cases, it is responsible for 90% of AMD-related blindness.

Lucentis (ranibizumab) is a prescription medication that studies have shown can be effective for patients with wet Macular Degeneration. The researchers at AIO have found that Lucentis can maintain or improve vision in patients with wet Macular Degeneration. Although they caution that Lucentis may not be effective for everyone, their ongoing research suggests that Lucentis, coupled with other therapies, may be able to save the eyesight of many wet Macular Degeneration patients. Anyone located in the Pittsburgh area that might be interested in Lucentis therapy for Macular Degeneration or Pittsburgh Lasik treatment is encouraged to call 1-800-246-1000 or visit http://www.aioeyesurgeons.com for more information.

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