As the number of visually impaired people increase because of eye diseases such as macular degeneration, the demand for visual aids increases.
Macular degeneration is a degenerative eye disease that progresses over time, and result in a demand for visual aids for those people who develop a visual impairment. Visual aids allow the visually impaired to maintain some aspects of normal living by providing assistance during some activities. [click to continue…]
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Macular degeneration home monitoring just became easier. With FDA approval for the ForeseeHome age-related macular degeneration analysis device, Notal Vision has taken a major step forward in the battle against this eye disease.
The ForeseeHome Macular Degeneration Monitor is revolutionary in the eye care industry, allowing patients with dry macular degeneration to monitor themselves for progression of this eye disease. Information gathered from home can then be transmitted directly to eye care professionals and the Notal Vision Data Monitoring Center, allowing macular degeneration patients to stay in the comfort of their homes.
This home monitoring device for macular degeneration is hoped to be available shortly on the market.
For more information on Notal Vision’s ForeseeHome Macular Degeneration Monitor you can visit the Notal Vision website at www.notalvision.com.
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With macular degeneration affecting many seniors, Tampa Bay area residents may have access to free macular degeneration eye examinations.
Macular degeneration is an eye disease affects central vision, attacking the macula. Wet macular degeneration is the more severe form of the eye disease, causing rapid loss of vision in those affected with the disease.
A new program by The Foundation of the Amcerican Academy of Ophthalmology has identified 22 doctors in the Tamp Bay, Florida area willing to give free eye exams and test for macular degeneration in eligible seniors.
To qualify for the free macular degeneration eye exams, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident that is 65 years of age or older. You must have had no previous macular degeneration diagnosis and not qualify under HMO or Veteran’s Administration services.
To find out if you or a loved one qualifies for these free macular degeneration eye exams call 1-866-324-3937.
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Nova Scotia is contemplating providing coverage for Lucentis, the leading macular degeneration treatment.
According to Maureen MacDonald, Nova Scotia’s health minister, the province may pay for Lucentis treatments for macular degeneration payments if it can afford the drug. Lucentis treatments for Novia Scotians is estimated to have a cost of $5 million annually.
MacDonald has indicated “We’re reviewing that drug as part of the budget process.”
For those people in Nova Scotia diagnosed with macular degeneration having access to Lucentis treatments would be a major step forward in treating the degenerative eye disease. Lucentis treatments are typically injected into the eye of macular degeneration patients suffering from the rapidly progressing version of the eye disease – wet macular degeneration.
Currently the cost of Lucentis treatments for Nova Scotians costs approximately $1,600 per month. People who are now diagnosed with macular degeneration must pay for these Lucentis treatments themselves while other provinces such as Newfoundland, Ontario and Quebec provide funding for Lucentis.
There is growing support throughout Nova Scotia for the government to provide coverage for Lucentis treatments for macular degeneration. People are advocating use of the sight saving treatment for the eye disease.
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Researchersin Jerusalem has shown how stem cells can be a treatment for degenerative eye diseases such as macular degeneration. This potential stem cell treatment may be used to treat many vision related conditions that can lead to blindness including macular degeneration.
According to Dr. Benjamin Reubinoff, the study’s lead author “Although there are a variety of therapeutic approaches under development to delay the degenerative process, the grim reality is that many patients eventually lose their sight. (Stem) Cell therapy to replenish the degenerating retinal cells may potentially halt disease progression.”
Stem cell treatments are not the only macular degeneration and eye disease treatment being explored. In 2001 a study released by the National Eye Institute suggested that high doses of antioxidants, beta-carotene and the mineral zinc reduce the risk of vision loss associated with advanced macular degeneration. Other nutritional supplements containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids have been shown to have benefit at reducing the risk of diseases such as macular degeneration and restore conditions associated with other eye diseases.
However, many are placing hope in the ability of stem cell therapy to provide an eventual cure for degenerative eye diseases such as macular degeneration. The potential of stem cell treatments have been clearly demonstrated in studies similar to those conducted by the Jerusalem researchers.
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