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]

Antiangiogenic Drugs Are Stopping Neovascularization in Wet Macular Degeneration

(Updated 3/12/22) A substance in the body called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is responsible for the growth of new blood vessels. It promotes this growth by stimulating the endothelial cells, which form the walls of the vessels and transport nutrients and oxygen to the tissues. Evidence shows that when the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) [Read More]

Artificial Lighting and the Blue Light Hazard

(The Facts About Lighting and Vision) by Dan Roberts, Founding Director Macular Degeneration Support Originally published on MDSupport, updated October 3, 2011) Contents Introduction What Is Light? The Blue Light Hazard Terms Referring to Measurement of Light Types of Lamps The Problem With Full-Spectrum Lamps Market Survey Summary Discussion Safe Options Live Comparison of Representative [Read More]

Ranibizumab and Bevacizumab for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The CATT Research Group April 2011 In 2005, clinical trials established the efficacy of ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech) for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of legal blindness in the United States. While awaiting approval for ranibizumab from the Food and Drug Administration, ophthalmologists began treating neovascular AMD with off-label use [Read More]