by Dan Roberts July 2004 As most of us are aware, beta carotene (i.e. vitamin A) has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers [Finnish Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) study]. For this reason, people who smoke, or have recently smoked, are being advised to avoid supplements containing beta carotene. This [Read More]
News
Saving Lives: The Impact of Vision Loss in Later Life
by Lylas G. Mogk, M.D. & Marja Mogk Presented by Dr. Mogk at the Pfizer Ophthalmology Therapeutic Area Conference March 25, 2004 I. Introduction Every year Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) causes more than 200,000 Americans to lose their central vision, and many more are already living with vision loss. In fact, macular degeneration alone has [Read More]
C-reactive Protein Levels Connected to Macular Degeneration
by Dan Roberts There has been a good deal of excitement about the possible connection between the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood and various diseases, including macular degeneration. CRP is responsible for the healing benefit of inflammation that occurs when a part of the body is in trouble. If, however, the level [Read More]
Macular Translocation
by Dan Roberts Originally published July 2000 (Updated November 2003) Simply put, macular translocation is an experimental surgical procedure which involves detachment of the retina and relocation of it to a healthier spot in the eye. It has been described as “three to four hours of operating on something the size of a postage stamp [Read More]
Pattern Dystrophies
by Wendy Strouse Watt, O.D. November 2003 Pattern dystrophies are inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion and they involve the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) and the external macular retina. Pattern dystrophies represent a group of disorders that present in midlife with mild visual disturbances in one or both eyes. Since patients present later in life [Read More]