Compiled by Dan Roberts (Updated 8/7/2023) What Is Geographic Atrophy? Geographic atrophy (GA) is a late stage of “dry” age-related macular degeneration (AMD) presenting with gradual deterioration of the photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layers of the retina. The main symptom is the absence of vision in one or more areas of the central [Read More]
Author: droberts
Clinical Trial Finds Antioxidants and Zinc Beneficial in Reducing Risk of Severe AMD
by Tom Hoglund, Information Officer Foundation Fighting Blindness October 2007 Reprinted by permission. (Updated May 6, 2013) Patients with advanced cases of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can moderately lower the risk of developing the more severe wet form of the disease and preserve vision by taking a daily dose of antioxidant vitamins and zinc. [Read More]
How Many People are Legally Blind from Wet AMD?
by Dan Roberts April 2013 The latest report I have seen that provides anything close to an accurate estimate of legal blindness among people with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is Wilmer Eye Institute’s “Causes and prevalence of visual impairment among adults in the United States” by Congdon N, et al (Arch Ophthalmol. 2004 Apr;122(4):477-85). [Read More]
Cholesterol and AMD
by Dan Roberts Originally published and updated, April 6, 2013 This is a continuously updated review of research since 2002 on cholesterol and age-related macular degeneration. It presents studies of statin treatment and it introduces recent findings regarding reduction of cholesterol by restoring macrophages. Statins Statins are a type of cholesterol-reducing drug that lower the [Read More]
All About Magnifiers for AMD
by Joe Fontenot, MD, CLVT Medical Director Community Services for Vision Rehabilitation 600 BelAir Blvd. Mobile AL 36606 Reprinted with permission from The Magnifier – Issue #90, Jan – Mar 2013, MD Foundation Almost all people with macular degeneration do see better if things are larger or closer, and magnifiers make things seem larger [Read More]