by Wendy Strouse Watt, O.D. October 2006 Cataracts are a complication commonly associated with any retinal or vitreal surgery. When cells are released during surgery, they can attach to the back of the lens and grow, or proliferate, accelerating cataract changes. Many surgeons do double or triple procedures when doing retinal or vitreous surgery. An [Read More]
News
Discovery of HTRA1 Gene Provides Potential Marker for AMD
by Dan Roberts October 2006 The protein Complement Factor H (CFH) has previously been found to play a role in the development of soft confluent drusen leading to AMD (see “CFH and CFB Proteins May Lead to AMD”). CFH has implicated inflammation as part of the AMD pathogenesis, and now, discovery of a new gene [Read More]
How Copeable Are You?
From The First Year: Age-Related Macular Degeneration by Daniel L. Roberts (Da Capo Press; August 29, 2006) Copeability is something everyone needs at some time or another in the course of life, particularly when experiencing loss of eyesight. It is something deep inside that waits until it is needed. When summoned, it rises to the [Read More]
Abortion Drug Offers Hope for People with Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
(Updated August 18, 2018) An abortion drug known as ru486 is showing potential as a treatment for central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), a condition which can lead to loss of central vision. The drug, also called mifepristone, blocks the action of progesterone, a hormone necessary to sustain pregnancy. It is also a potent antiglucocorticoid agent. Glucocorticoids [Read More]
Age-related Macular Degeneration Does Not Cause Blindness
A revealing opinion poll sponsored by MD Support shows that a strong majority of people affected by AMD do not think of themselves as blind, and they do not want the term to be used to describe their visual impairment. The pronouncement is well known: “age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness [Read More]