New X-Ray Treatment Could Save Sight of Thousands with Macular Degeneration!

Age-related macular degeneration is a chronic eye disease and is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans over the age of 60 – but a new 15-minute procedure – on trial in the U.K. could change all of that.It involves an X-ray treatment, and according to a report in the Daily Mail, it could save the sight of thousands of people.

There are two types of age-related macular degeneration – wet and dry. Wet macular degeneration is the more severe kind and is characterized by swelling caused by leaking blood vessels that affect the macula, which is the center of the retina. It’s not known what causes this condition, but it almost always develops in people who have had the dry form of macular degeneration, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Currently, treatments for this eye disease are quite invasive and involve a series of injections into the eye, as frequent as every four weeks, for the remainder of the patients life. But this new procedure, called iRay, only involves a patient sitting in front of the machine while low-energy X-rays are “beamed” back into the back of their eye. As a result the “beams” close the blood vessels that cause loss of the vision. It’s an in-office procedure that last about 15 to 20 minutes.
iRay, which is a product of the U.S. firm Oraya Therapeutics, is currently being tested at London’s King College Hospital.

“This is an exciting new technology that targets one of the most common causes of blindness in the U.K.,” Dr. Tim Jackson, who is leading the trial, said. “If the initial results are borne out in these important larger studies then a majority of patients will have something to look forward to – an easily administered, one-off treatment that maintains or improves vision, and fewer injections into their eye.”

In the U.S., the device has not yet received FDA approval. Stay tuned and check back for more information regarding this new treatment and experiment.

To learn more about AMD please join us for our Annual Educational Symposium on Saturday, March 26th, 2011 at the Tampa Westshore Marriott in Tampa, Fl. Log onto our website to learn more about this event.To register or for more information about the March 26th Educational Conference, please contact Ms. Rosa Seminario at: rseminario@maculardegenerationassociation.org or call (800) 869-1551 ext. 0. Please visit our website athttp://www.maculardegenerationassociation.org/ As always please consult your physician before beginning a new health regimen. Thank you for your continued support.

References:http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/03/11/new-x-ray-treatment-save-sight-thousands/

The Risk of Brain Hemorrhagic Stroke in Individuals with Age-Related Macular Degeneration Increased....

In the News, older adults with late-stage, age-related macular degeneration may have a significantly higher risk for hemorrhagic stroke than do individuals without the eye disease, a prospective, population-based study suggests.There may be a common underlying process contributing to both age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and bleeding strokes, but more research will be needed to determine if that’s the case, Dr. Renske G. Wieberdink said in a press briefing at the International Stroke Conference.

"We don’t think there’s a causal relationship between AMD and stroke," said Dr. Wieberdink, an epidemiologist at Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. 

During 1990-2007, data on 6,207 adults aged 55 years or older in the Rotterdam Study showed that 30% had early-stage (stage 1-3) AMD and 1.5% had late-stage (stage 4) AMD at baseline. Participants underwent physical examination, blood sampling, and full eye examinations every 3-4 years. During a median of nearly 14 years of follow-up, 726 participants developed a stroke, including 59 intracerebral hemorrhages, 397 cerebral infarctions, and 270 unspecified strokes. 

Researchers found that the risk for any stroke was 56% higher in participants with late-stage AMD than in individuals without AMD after they controlled for the effects of age, sex, diabetes, blood pressure, use of antihypertensives, smoking, cholesterol levels, carotid artery plaques, body mass index, alcohol intake, and C-reactive protein levels. 

Participants with late-stage AMD (either the wet or dry forms) had sixfold higher risk for intracerebral hemorrhage than did cohort members without AMD (hazard ratio, 6.11; 95% confidence interval, 2.34-15.98). 

No significant association was seen between late-stage AMD and intracerebral infarction. Early-stage AMD was not associated with increased risk for any kind of stroke. 

If there is a common mechanism underlying late-stage AMD and intracerebral hemorrhage, it’s unclear what it might be. "In the AMD field, AMD is not considered a vascular disorder, but that should be investigated further," she said. 

For more information regarding this topic, please visit our website athttp://www.maculardegenerationassociation.org/ To learn more about AMD please join us for our Annual Educational Symposium on Saturday, March 26th, 2011 at the Tampa Westshore Marriott in Tampa, Fl. Log onto our website to learn more about this event. As always please consult your physician before beginning a new health regimen. Thank you for your continued support. 

References: http://www.familypracticenews.com/single-view/brain-hemorrhage-risk-higher-with-late-macular-degeneration/5fefede257.html

Educational Symposium on Macular Degeneration...

The Macular Degeneration Association would like to cordially invite you to our annual conference on macular degeneration. This year’s conference will be held on March 26, 2011 at the Tampa Westshore Marriott.This event is an excellent opportunity for you and your family to learn about the latest advances in macular degeneration research, drugs, treatments, and therapies. It will also serve as an opportunity for participants to share questions, concerns and ideas with nationally known macular experts, other local doctors, patients and caregivers.

There will be general session presentations beginning in the morning that will continue throughout the day, exhibition sessions during the sponsored breaks, and a question and answer session at the conclusion of the conference. Topics covered will include everything from genetic testing to future treatments of macular degeneration, as well as clinical trials currently being offered and other alternative therapies. 

The conference will run from 8:30am-5:00pm with registration open at 7:30am. Speakers include some of the most prominent names in the macular community, including Program Chair, Dr. Michael Tolentino, Dr. Dana Deupree, Dr. Sonya Braudway, Dr. Karen Gehrs, Dr. Benjamin Kim, Dr. Brian Madow, etc.

The Macular Degeneration Association is a nonprofit health organization providing macular research, information and advocacy. The mission of the organization is to help find a cure for macular degeneration and to improve the lives of all people affected by the disease.

To register or for more information about the March 26th Educational Conference, please contact Ms. Rosa Seminario at: rseminario@maculardegenerationassociation.org or call (800) 869-1551 ext. 0. To learn more about the Macular Degeneration Association please visit us online at http://www.maculardegenerationassociation.org/ We look forward to seeing you at our educational symposium. Thank you for your continued support.

Research and Genome-Wide Association Scan for Age-related Macular Degeneration

Genome-Wide Association Scan for Age-related Macular Degeneration...Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of the macular region of the retina. It affects the aging population in developed countries, causing loss of central vision and accounts for 50 percent of blindness.NEI investigators in collaboration with more than twenty universities and research institutions in the U.S. and Europe completed the first genome-wide association scan (GWAS) for age-relatedmacular degeneration (AMD). GWAS are designed to identify common variants implicated in common diseases, which are normally not covered by linkage studies. Known AMD susceptibility loci near complement factor H (CFH), age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 (ARMS2), complement component 2/complement factor B (C2/CFB), complement component 3 (C3),and complement factor I (CFI) were confirmed by this study. Other previously suggested susceptibility loci did not show significance with P<0.05. However, in some cases a trend was observed in the same direction as that of the published data. The three strongest signals were associated with loci in the synapsin III (SYN3)/ tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) region, the hepatic lipase (LIPC) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) genes. The SYN3/TIMP3 susceptibility locus had been previously linked to AMD. It is a large intron in the SYN3 gene (involved in neurotransmission and synapseformation) that also contains the TIMP3 gene (involved in extracellularmatrix degradation and implicated in early-onset maculopathy Sorby'sfundus dystrophy).

AMD is a raising public health concern because of the constant increase in the aging population. The identification of susceptibility variants associated with AMD may contribute to the prediction of individual risk of AMD.This, in association with the identification of molecular and cellular pathways involved in the pathogenesis of the disease can lead to better preventive and therapeutic interventions.

To learn more about this article, to learn about our mission of educating those affected by macular degeneration including families and caregivers or to learn about our educational programs including our educational symposium on Saturday, March 26, 2011 in Tampa, Fl. Please visit us at http://www.maculardegenerationassociation.org/. As always please consult your physician before beginning a new health regimen. Thank you for your continued support.

References:http://www.nei.nih.gov/news/scienceadvances/advances/amd.asp

Macuhealth...a nutritional supplement for AMD!

We're excited to share information about Macuhealth...a supplement for AMD. Macuhealth with LMZ3 is a patented nutritional supplement that contains the three pigments found in the macula. Regular intake of Macuhealth with LMZ3 has been shown to restore macular pigment to normal levels.
*Unique formula eye supplement designed to reduce the risk of Macular Degeneration development and progression.
*Scientifically designed to contain ALL the vital carotenoids for macular health – lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin.
*The ONLY available eye supplement with 10mg of meso-zeaxanthin - the only carotenoid found exclusively in the macula.
*Rigorously tested at leading global eye research institutions and endorsed by many eye care professionals worldwide.

Scientists have long known that the yellow color, or pigment, inside the macula (central retina) comes from plant compounds known as the carotenoids, which include: lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin. They believe that these plant compounds help protect the macula in two MAJOR ways:Blue-light filter - by absorbing blue light from the broad spectrum and Anti-oxidant Effect – neutralizing harmful free radicals.

Importance of Meso-zeaxanthin:
*MZ is the dominant carotenoid in the central fovea
*Of the three macular carotenoids, MZ is the most powerful antioxidant
*MZ facilitates a wider range of blue light filtration
*Ideally located to afford protection against free radical damage

MacuHealth with LMZ3 is a patented supplement that combines all three of these carotenoids to help reduce the risk of Macular Degeneration and maintain healthy eyes.
For more information about MACUHEALTH, please visit http://www.nomoreamd.com/ or to learn about the Macular Degeneration Association, please visit us on the web at http://www.maculardegenerationassociation.org/ Representatives from Macuhealth will be at our Annual Educational Conference on Saturday, March 26th, 2011 to share and talk about the benefits of taking this supplement. Our Scientific Co-Founder Dr. Michael Tolentino will also be there to answer any questions regarding supplements and Macuhealth. As always, please consult your physician before beginning a new health regimen. We hope to see you at our upcoming event. Thank you for your continued support.

Top Symptoms of Macular Degeneration..

What are the TOP SYMPTOMS of MACULAR DEGENERATION? According to new studies, they include:seeing distorted images, blurred vision due to an inability to identify contrast,diminished ability to identify the intensity of colors, fluid or blood in the eye, and yellow deposits in the retina. The macula, which is located in the central region of the retina behind the eye, is responsible for clear vision.It is needed to discern colors, notice contrast, read, write, and appreciate fine details. Macular degeneration is the ineffective functioning of the macula. This disorder can be caused by either broken blood vessels that increase fluids in the eye or dried and degenerated cells in the eye.

There are two kinds of macular degeneration: wet and dry. When abnormal blood vessels develop behind the macula, wet macular degeneration occurs. For dry macular degeneration to occur, the macular cells degenerate and break, causing macular function disturbance.
Macular degeneration can be diagnosed based on a visual acuity test. This measures the eyes’ sensitivity to distances. Another test, tonometry, measures the pressure in the eye. The physician also preforms a dilated eye exam where the retina and optic nerves are examined for symptoms of macular degeneration.

To learn more about macular degeneration or about our Tampa conference on Saturday, March 28th, 2011. Please visit us at http://www.maculardegenerationassociation.org/ As always please consult your physician before beginning a new health regimen. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you at the conference.

References:http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/macular-degeneration-symptoms-macular/2011/03/04/id/370899

Seniors: Preserve Your Vision!! Millions of Americans Never Saw It Coming...20% Ages 55 and Older Won't Either!

Awareness + Knowledge Can Help! Our Annual conference will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at the Tampa Westshore Marriott.This event is an excellent opportunity for you and your family to learn about the latest advances in macular degeneration research, drugs, treatments, and therapies. It will also serve as an opportunity for participants to share questions, concerns and ideas with nationally known macular experts, other local doctors, patients and caregivers.

There will be general session presentations beginning in the morning that will continue throughout the day, exhibition sessions during the sponsored breaks, and a question and answer session at the conclusion of the conference. Topics covered will include everything from genetic testing to future treatments of macular degeneration, as well as clinical trials currently being offered and other alternative therapies.

The conference will run from 8:30am-5:00pm with registration beginning at 7:30am. Speakers include some of the most prominent names in the macular community, including Program Chair, Dr. Michael Tolentino, Dr. Dana Deupree, Dr. Sonya Braudway, Dr. Karen Gehrs, Dr. Benjamin Kim, Dr. Brian Madow, etc.

To register or for more information about the March 26th Educational Conference, please contact Ms. Rosa Seminario at: rseminario@maculardegenerationassociation.org or call (800) 869-1551 ext. 0. To learn more about the Macular Degeneration Association, please visit us on the web at http://www.maculardegenerationassociation.org/. Thank you for your continued support!