Understanding Drug Side Effects and Adverse Events

Presented to the International Low Vision Support Group by Dan Roberts July 2013 [Opening: montage of screen shots and audio of disclaimers from drug commercials] Pretty scary, isn’t it? Kind of like telling us we’re going to feel better or die trying. These commercials, which show peaceful scenes of happy people while a disembodied voice [Read More]

Betadine and Eye Pain

Betadine (povidone-iodine 5%) has become the standard of care for cleansing the eye during anti-VEGF injection procedures. Though the incidence of sensitivity to povidone-iodine (PVPI) is infrequent, some patients are reporting severe and prolonged burning of the conjunctiva.1, 2, 3 Even though the complaints are relatively few, a solution needs to be found to this [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]

What Is Macular Degeneration?

by Dan Roberts (Updated 9/12/2023) Audio/visual presentations on all related subjects Recommended books: The First Year: Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by Daniel L. Roberts Macular Degeneration: The Complete Guide to Saving and Maximizing Your Sight by Lylas Mogk, M.D. and Marja Mogk, Ph.D. Definition Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is [Read More]

New Treatment for Dry AMD Using HuCNS Stem Cells

by Dan Roberts February 2, 2012 StemCells, Inc. announced on February 2, 2012 that the FDA has authorized a Phase I/II clinical trial of a new method using stem cells from the brain to prevent degeneration of the macula in dry AMD patients. Purified human neural stem cells (HuCNS-SC) will be administered by a single [Read More]